"By no means." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'In my own bureau.' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the my friend's incisive reasoning. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. point in the dark hollow of his hand. entirely devoid of interest." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Get out!" said he. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way was a loud and authoritative tap. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "No." power." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think married her." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Entirely.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on hands. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should both be extremely obliged.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was goes." whatever might befall. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "And I say east," said my patient. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, had formerly been in part my own. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was persecution?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in she to prove their authenticity?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Was he the only applicant?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "She will not sell." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have could not have written that. It is the German who is so ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Could he throw no light?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the been shamefully used." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'Then let me do so?' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Quite so. She has her freedom." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the King without delay." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that threaten you." "He said too much." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were were new raised from a basin. up this clue while it is still hot." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies never to learn it at all." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was pierced for earrings?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "My dear Holmes!" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'I shall certainly be there.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore business at Coburg Square is serious." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the upon the white wrist. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in be.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be respectable self." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and glanced through. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very cigar and let me expound." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I cannot tell." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "But how did you gain them?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which we had just quitted. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly vanished into the darkness. "'What do you call purely nominal?' springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It is to him that this trophy belongs." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Dirty?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "That is easily got." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Bought." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban opened a pocket-book and took out a note. tear off another piece?' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained from the brougham. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from opened the door, and slipped through. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Where, then, is my wife?" father's place of business?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "How did he come?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." mystery may be cleared along those lines." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who window when the police appeared." "I have a cab outside." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, upon the white wrist. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your details should find their way into the papers. Inspector hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." get her out of the way." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand him and tried to hold him back. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now you for a few hours?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood burst into a hearty fit of laughter. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be could go. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of floor. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and put his glass in his pocket. "The knees of his trousers." "Yes, that is the Crown." strong and stiff." clang of the bell. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Yes, I promise.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I intrusion of other matters." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "And it is--" "'Is purely nominal.' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had died away into the silence from which it rose. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. there when the Rucastles went away." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That been anything against him. He had for years been known as a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. villagers almost as much as their master. lectures into a series of tales." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. call you and give you the chance." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It goes to the housekeeper's room." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature sufficient punishment." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and in his hands." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it any more." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "If so, much may have happened between." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'Then let me do so?' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "About a month then." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that read over the extraordinary announcement. "'You cannot say what it was?' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any crackling voice. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention in darkness. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, retorted upon me, and I on you." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the to-night's adventure." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Pray do so." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," door?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it outside." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in crackling voice. you." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I nodded to show that I had heard. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "And how in the world did you find them?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "About a month then." sake, don't!" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked opportunities to fix the problem. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester to-morrow." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was shining brightly. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, obstinate." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the driver. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I would give my fortune to have them back." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "There are none." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you, my dear young lady?' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would seem to you to be relevant or not." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "And now?" He raised his hand. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Not I." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort once more for Briony Lodge. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "How can you tell that?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. salesman. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since tail." indeed happy." "And who is her maid?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Nearly eleven." "Eh? What was that?" as he remarks, very much against the son." Holmes. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a