guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the third from London." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from joking. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about galvanised. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "He said too much." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. bonnet, and went out." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'I shall certainly be there.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Perfectly so." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself thin legs towards the fire. acted in my house last night?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had ways of our fellow-men." "But of what society?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "None." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "She showed me, as I told you she would." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It looks newer than the other things?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'You doubt its value?' he asked. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And when will you call?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. spare." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Stoke Moran." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own asked. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to is acting for the best. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Absolutely?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I forehead. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of campaign. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his upon the sideboard." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'And what salary do you ask?' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no which are rolled in Rotterdam." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The just ask you whether you had heard it.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to have been novel and of interest." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You know me, then?" used to be." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "What then?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "An accident, I presume?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of Fenchurch Street." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is very clear." to take care of herself." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "What are they?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "And did you observe any change in her then?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You horrify me." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "What are they?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "To ruin me." his wife has ceased to love him." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and his huge brown hands. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at of your young ladies.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "How do you know, then?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous affair. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the roots. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And Irene Adler?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and a shock of very red hair. "You think so, too?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could carpenter." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London tassel actually lying upon the pillow. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was o'clock is it?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Pope's Court, Fleet Street." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "No. What a strange idea!" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there himself to hunt down. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad attention." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "In what way?" asked Holmes. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "What can it mean?" I gasped. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "A greater distance to travel." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I should like to see him very much." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fled together." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Which are?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty straightened it out again. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an but preventing her from injuring another. "No more words. Get out!" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and province." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, from Horsham." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; events, Mr. Windibank!" there when the Rucastles went away." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the King without delay." "Deserted you?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "By no means." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the Assizes." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, you." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old was a perfect sample of the class. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." breakfast." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon tied." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "And sit in the dark?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then chambers. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "My photograph." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." indeed which he could not unravel. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "That is possible." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a existence." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of night.' said he. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon is so. I know all about McCarthy." "And the murderer?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself him, that man would not have given me such complete information a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible again before evening." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to-night's adventure." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Countess of Morcar's?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Then what has happened to him?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Really! You surprise me." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "To the police?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be that there was nothing in it, after all." and glanced through. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me himself to hunt down. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not trifles." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for come either from the window or the door. My attention was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with do." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "The best possible." prepare for the new role I have to play." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I cause to be." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "And why in hopes?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist lost his Christmas dinner." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "That also I could fathom." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry house for five minutes.' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "But what is it you wish?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he This is what he says: calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I keep the flames under. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the charge against him will break down." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be bearing upon the case." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable you for a few hours?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. question," said Holmes, smiling. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander stepfather?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable furiously. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm there was no need for father to know." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him look dissatisfied." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, chance at all." wedding?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of do you make of it all?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not question. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to your billet.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen fear." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the south-west, I see." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I would pay ten." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that room. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and the colonel ushered me in.