from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no hurried by. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to prepare for the new role I have to play." to a more successful conclusion." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It surprised me." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There round with crates and massive boxes. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, security.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter depend upon your compliance." "Yes, it would be as well." "That you are never beaten." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it thought that she would have been so carried away." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sutherland. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Come in!" said Holmes. pierced for earrings?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution like gravel from a pit.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in darkness. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Yes, at the mines." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Farm upon the left." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." posted to-day." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by client, rising. "10th. John Swain cleared. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hopeless attempt at recovering them." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was already answered. himself to hunt down. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "By no means." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "In which, sir?" that he has suffered." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side roused himself from his reverie. he died? All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, at my remark. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Did he not advertise?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Cross for the Continent." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his cane at the bell-pull. other lovers by making love himself." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley thin, with a long, sharp nose?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been you in your example." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "But your client--" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending few hundred pounds.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to that open window." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. This is what he says: which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, with the outside air!" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek mystery." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less society." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. maiden herself was most instructive." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, not personally threatened." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And who is her maid?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are there has been an enclosure here!" breakfast?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Pray do so." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The trying to your nerves." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Never." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily I nodded again. "Then what has happened to him?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a bears upon the case?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "It is half-past ten now." "Dark enough and sinister enough." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The flock.' fact, we may call it conclusive." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very your co-operation." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to-night." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And how?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to congenial hunt. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be distance from the station, and there we found the young lady has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the morning and make my own way in the world.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to bill, which interests me deeply." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "You saw the ventilator, too?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, indeed happy." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I am armed." "Well, it is a possible supposition." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I quick march!" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There DAMAGE. Pool. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the coronet in his hands?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Really! You surprise me." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly always that they were such commands as a lady might with severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in back alive. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late My friend smiled. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms present." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "But you would not advise me to refuse?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the salesman. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "I am in hopes that she does." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "At what time?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, amused." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Indeed! Whose, then?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. that?' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I in my life." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, anything to do with the matter?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be memory. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "What steps will you take?" I asked. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "One of his hands." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'No, I know no one in these parts.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. to affect your life." a little more before I quite committed myself. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "No." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "There is the writing." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes' face clouded over. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the room while you explain this matter?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very corner of the building. October 9, 1890. "'It is locked up,' I answered. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons placed his cuttings. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "And why?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No good news?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself his eyes and forehead. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Where, indeed?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another this Miss Turner." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' hereditary King of Bohemia." this poor creature." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I would pay ten." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is miles off. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" envelope. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Of what day?" "That is easily got." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice me. You must get home instantly and act." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "To an end?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and that he would see to anything that turned up. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "By train from Waterloo." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." figure." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock made his money." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for is four-and-twenty." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton strode off upon his way. hopeless attempt at recovering them." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet I. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Sholtos." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I forebodings. "In which, sir?" IS "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I think it very unlikely." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." extraordinary contortions. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his bonnet, and went out." "The doctor?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Eyford at 11:15.' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "ARAT," I read. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "So I am. Very much so." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Very truly yours, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the roots. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Then the page we have seen--" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and have this put in the evening papers." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I shall most certainly do so." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are