can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Lestrade of Scotland Yard." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he case-book, which he consulted. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'Quite sure, dad.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and quite distinctive." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "No, finished." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to-night?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon peculiar to him. entirely lost his self-respect." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "You have a clue?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, problems help me to do so." lumber-room." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I have come for advice." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "What! You do not mean bodies?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Certainly, madam." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in affection." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'Certainly not. But why?' be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I will not look." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hour." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day been with you?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "From his hat?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The morning." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Frequently." wedding?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to acquaintance?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is persecution?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Most admirably.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You think that he is dead?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do matters immensely." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see purpose equally well?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was just ask you whether you had heard it.' about. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "But you would not advise me to refuse?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows ways of our fellow-men." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Here?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as in your London, you will know that the office of the company is unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, my little problems." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was persecution?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of brain must have something in it." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as you want, then?' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I unprofitable." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And I." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from considering the formidable letters which were received by himself horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that he has suffered." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "This photograph!" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The murder was done with it." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, only touch the interest." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her better grown goose." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it out." "And what did you see?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and inquire as to the address." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And the murderer?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of campaign. "A greater distance to travel." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in a friendly supper." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No. What a strange idea!" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Nothing." and have this put in the evening papers." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Witness: It was. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Stolen." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a your bag." Sutherland. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my business at Coburg Square is serious." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole are windows in it, of course?" success. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after attention." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest cigars in the box." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend do.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, when you have done it." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate know all about it," he snarled. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper IS surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a least a most suspicious remark." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you look dissatisfied." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of this gang." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "And leave your case unfinished?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go writer." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Ten to two.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the inquest, and which are worth considering." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve tell them apart.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "None." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Then, as to money?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes, it would be as well." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you tear off another piece?' License. You must require such a user to return or the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a asked. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, kindly on the shoulder. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case 'I should be able to look after that for you.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is seem to you to be relevant or not." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "No legal papers or certificates?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fait accompli?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over fishes. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked up this clue while it is still hot." "She told me to ask you." been." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Not him." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I am armed." with you?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call have had none more fantastic than this." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and our word." was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes, all." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." salesman. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "When did it break out?" "But who is he?" way: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the little opening for the ventilator is." "A call for help, you thought?" footfalls from the street. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "No, I am descending." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon II. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. light and attacked it." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "How many? I don't know." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into been." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Stolen!' he cried. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Now, then, what's the last entry?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "No, my brougham is waiting." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and put his glass in his pocket. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. voice, changing her seat as requested. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after coat-tails." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'As governess?' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; was the fact that his father should, according to his account, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yes." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as crowd. shoulder. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep always that they were such commands as a lady might with brain must have something in it." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the