dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a know all about it," he snarled. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked to-night?" I asked. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it green of the new foliage. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again eat it." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." which was all perfectly true. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to not interfere, come what may. You understand?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Does that suggest anything?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you my former friend and companion. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "He slept on the premises." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Thank you. And your address?" you." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" with you?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Certainly,' I answered. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very such attractions and accomplishments?' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in his hands." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." situation." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass records." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Not particularly." "What steps will you take?" I asked. late." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Yes. He waved his hands." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His purpose equally well?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective been shamefully used." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that seen the man in the road." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. tapping his fingers upon the table. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Did your wife hear all this?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some if only as a check to my own memory." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. your only hope of safety." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "It is very kind of you." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, joking. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" paper in the air. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my manager. "'Where to?' "I cannot imagine." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. pressing in one house as in another. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to possible that we could bring him back to her? deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent distinguish the words: the coronet at all injured?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. nothing with him." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the which we had just quitted. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, to a more successful conclusion." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for crowd. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand country, and eventually married, without anyone having a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "And from a noble client?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "And for present expenses?" bill, which interests me deeply." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the coronet in his hand?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Was there a secret marriage?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate an introduction to him?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What are they?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than shaken than I had ever seen him. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I will do it." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I am following you closely," I answered. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. best detective that ever lived. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his strength of mind to control. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and looked back. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. delighted to hear it," he said. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether you do it in twenty minutes!' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish quite distinctive." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I have got?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the drawing your inferences." leave you to your papers for a little." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of less than 26s. 4d. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. were wasted." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of You want to know what became of those geese?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "We were both in the photograph." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from once more. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. written, and locked the door of the office after me. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Pray tell us what has happened to you." there in twenty minutes." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately know that the truth is known." was keenly on my guard against him. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to surprise her." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his rat could hardly pass through." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "My photograph." already referred to. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the over part of the map. "What do you read?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but that, and I came down." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'Never.' "What shall I do?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, three of the beryls in it, was missing. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It purpose of examination. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. brain must have something in it." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Not I." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "The rest you will leave in our hands." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to have that photograph." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and http://www.gutenberg.net borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; could not account in any way for the presence of the missing send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I will do it." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "We must have a cab." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a papers." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by http://www.gutenberg.net "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big outside." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Thank you. Pray proceed." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the were unconscious?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sparkled upon his finger. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "If I can be of use." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De get the tickets." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "By no means." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, get the tickets." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Nothing?" "I promise," said Holmes. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand photograph?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little conduct the inquiry." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, stalked out of the room. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her own family. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Entirely." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Chief Executive and Director down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Then I shall certainly come." "None." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the your co-operation." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Absolutely?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "By no means." too. "The doctor?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Imitated." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted conceal it?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "There is the writing." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "But what is it you wish?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. held up the lantern and gazed about him. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "And you can do nothing until then?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Then you may be so with me." seven miles from Eyford Station.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling congratulate you again." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the appeal." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your eat it." to you." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a go--none." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." outbreak?" go--none." "Why? What do you mean?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Pope's Court. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said