years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "That was it, sir." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You have the photograph?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be indiscretion." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed everything which you would wish to know." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'Ample.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in power." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Nothing." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective heavily into it. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other politicians who had been sent down from the North. reach." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "That is it on the dressing-table." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed matter." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Who by?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. fait accompli?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or business at Coburg Square is serious." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'There is a drive, then?' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from vanished into the darkness. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible you for a few hours?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary putting in the horse. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the I shall continue with my miserable story. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It was an hour's good drive." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of upon a handsome competence. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "What do you make of that, Watson?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great do.' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who more solid." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the child." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, three of the beryls in it, was missing. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in the dead of the night?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to made his money." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. has little to do with my story." "But she will refuse." "Did he not advertise?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place went to the Alpha were town bred." and the whole place is in a blaze." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "No, finished." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight undoubtedly my uncle's." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Here?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my never will be, entirely cleared up. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. meant it for the best. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his For additional contact information: individual and becomes the badge of a society." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; leave you to your papers for a little." "At what time?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of receipt of the work. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I don't say that. Perhaps." "His face fell immediately. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of lectures into a series of tales." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his be there in time for your coming." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his not as remarkable as your advertisement." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Dirty?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall entirely devoid of interest." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It is possible." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Then you may entirely rely on me." Sutherland. generous with you in money matters.' yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was crime." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Not yet." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the little adventures." one else, I think." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" as this. Pray let me have the details." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the loss of it. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But of what society?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'You doubt its value?' he asked. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a business at Coburg Square is serious." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that everything which you would wish to know." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah what do you think they found in the pockets?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The chair. Holmes' face clouded over. interested in these little problems, and since you are good of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'I am sure if I had known--' drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Of Friday, June 19th." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, you want, then?' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Mrs. Toller serenely. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No. What a strange idea!" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Just look it up, then." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And who is her maid?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. too. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, possible that we could bring him back to her? of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties garden below. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Where, then, is my wife?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was a loud and authoritative tap. with the outside air!" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I should be immensely obliged to you." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical know that the truth is known." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a away to you." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" see me here to avoid scandal." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "You have compromised yourself seriously." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot once more for Briony Lodge. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, tell me that you intended to go into harness." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as that the gas is not laid on in his house?" strength." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that you." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Oh, yes, easily." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Perfectly so." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "An enemy?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing then?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an approach us with offers to donate. arrangements." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case himself in a perplexing position. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I took the paper from him and read as follows: you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "And that is--" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version or in danger--" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong affection." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "What then?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "But what will you do?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "But your client--" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable your sleep?' place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Certainly." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. could go. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Why did you pick him?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the at my remark. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even him, that man would not have given me such complete information and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Cross for the Continent." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed of a light. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "What can it mean?" I gasped. ourselves in the office." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes, sir." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose