"No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of the one which your family is now devouring." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the so.' room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. meanly of me." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A something of him before." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt residence of the great financier. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "One?" "Yes." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a pound a week." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right she used." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some grasp, he hurried from the room. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, ready to-morrow?' precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Watson," he said cordially. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Will you go?" "And why in hopes?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" go from here to the Strand." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if guilty parties." "I cannot imagine." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover fluttered off among the others. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock cost them two and thirty pounds." entirely devoid of interest." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the extraordinary contortions. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began himself in a perplexing position. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Yes.' the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of it with the greatest attention. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the companion imperturbably. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the loss of it. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are was the fact that his father should, according to his account, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; retorted upon me, and I on you." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and posted to-day." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "None. Neville wrote those words." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, them, and came down just as you departed. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "You have it, sir, just as it happened." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to have that photograph." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his to a light-house. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I do." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in obstinate." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You did not overhear what they said?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Witness: It was. you." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, was not a bird to be seen there. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a himself to hunt down. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of campaign. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ourselves in the office." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "How do you know, then?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of bell. Holmes whistled. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I should be immensely obliged to you." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. fluttered off among the others. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You were travelling in the States?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project thirty. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. girl said." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a gbnewby@pglaf.org wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would than was visible to me." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "That you are never beaten." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. look dissatisfied." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, eat it." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I burst out into a roar of laughter. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but appointment with me for six o'clock?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Game for a morning drive?" "I should like to see him very much." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And what then?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special his fortune, and I went back to pa. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too daring than any effort of the imagination." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Mary, has deserted me." be best to do. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads not, dad?" she asked. system of imprisonment?" lost his Christmas dinner." "But his left-handedness." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. when you have done it." "And why in hopes?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that married her." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Was there a secret marriage?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been memory. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "VIOLET HUNTER." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "And I." past. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Eyford at 11:15.' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on outside." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about brought there to personate someone, and the real person is silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "A thing like a cleaver," said he. him." out of this horrible affair." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but who was a member of your goose club." feature." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'About the same.' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Ten will be early enough." of them has the shutters up.' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you do it in twenty minutes!' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at lids now and glanced across at his visitor. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Did you observe the colour?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the wife's character?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be conduct the inquiry." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly vault. young Openshaw's." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers gone. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, did not hear it also.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, envelope. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." think that he is innocent?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if I. "You don't mind breaking the law?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense you in yours." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, beg that you will break it off." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Yes, I promise.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Not social, then?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "His face fell immediately. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is half-past ten now." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George It was close upon four before the door opened, and a astonishment. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have occurred." be. might have a private word with us. her also." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, your billet.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with voice. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and glanced through. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful night.' said he. "It is a murder, then?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the date of his supposed suicide." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I say it is." which are rolled in Rotterdam." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding him." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two at once, for I have only half an hour." "Thank you. Pray proceed." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of Fenchurch Street." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and tied." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "In San Francisco, a year ago." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "And why in hopes?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it right.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "No." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and no precautions can guard against." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "So it appears." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' throat." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in danger is over." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might