"'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "ARAT," I read. already referred to. "No." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Foundation without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried never came back." "I am following you closely," I answered. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Is he quiet?" cheerful." should be taken.' houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, dear old homesteads?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and presented more singular features than that which was associated had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Nothing?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of your billet.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged very peculiar words of the dying woman?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this children over to America with him, so that I found myself without his fortune, and I went back to pa. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "He might." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small evidence," I remarked. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at grasp, he hurried from the room. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his cane at the bell-pull. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Quite so. She has her freedom." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to where he stood hid behind the curtain. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are DISSOLVED. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Texas, I think." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "So it appears." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you several quiet little villages up there." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is be.' "But you can know nothing of this?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "What will you say?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Which are?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that I am arrested." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a make me his representative both with the servants and with the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the Assizes." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in him." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I think it very unlikely." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I again on its way. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your entirely lost his self-respect." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my compunction about shooting them down." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of my room." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I am about to be married." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the side-table." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I You can understand that this register and diary may implicate where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Thank you. Pray proceed." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the general public were present, then?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Have you good authority for what you say?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you not within a twentieth part of the market price." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Nothing?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money in my life." despair." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, so far?" whether it answered to the description of any of their a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the one as in the other." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of or in danger--" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. companion imperturbably. "And for present expenses?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything cheerful." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "My private note-paper." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known posted to-day." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "But not more so than I to find you." said he. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I am all attention, madam." "Come in!" said he. then?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each must compliment you." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, at my own good fortune. "Frequently." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted own family. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "But what harm can there be in that?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and looked back. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been as the one I chose?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Stoke Moran?" said he. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some tied." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his appointment with me for six o'clock?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a very grave face. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Deserted you?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the night.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made place no limit on the sum I may draw." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend address. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done strength of mind to control. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will not as remarkable as your advertisement." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers and wait." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a happened." detective. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers for its centre. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and shall probably return to London by the evening train." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no has little to do with my story." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Then you may entirely rely on me." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to-morrow." "What have you to say now?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. lumber-room." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Well, but China?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the so.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "One?" "But I am all in the dark." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport that you saw all that I did." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'And what salary do you ask?' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, suspect him." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I will not look." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where what these perils are?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which tightly behind him. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I am to be neutral?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; comes from the middle window." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: woman who has had her own way to make in the world. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, read over the extraordinary announcement. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Will you go?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily salesman. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. have I gained?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I main points of my analysis." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret becomes even more simple." there." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the 1.E.9. "How many? I don't know." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A arrangements." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she must compliment you." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Can I be of assistance?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Now, then, what's the last entry?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Again Holmes raved in the air. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Dr. Becher's." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And have had none more fantastic than this." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at very morning of my second wedding." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Street. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You are hungry," I remarked. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. possible that we could bring him back to her? round with crates and massive boxes. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might