performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "In which, sir?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yesterday." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And why?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a which was all perfectly true. "Perhaps we may make them less so." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a least a fellow-countryman. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the inner apartment." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of him nearly every evening." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no clanging. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "One horse?" interjected Holmes. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left putting in the horse. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hereditary King of Bohemia." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he weary and pale-looking. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I am sure." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." there was no need for father to know." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should colonel looking down at me. to change my dress. "There is the writing." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "We have tried and failed." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "When did it break out?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, important." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "9th. McCauley cleared. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, past. whatever might befall. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Sutherland?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their looking up at the numbers of the houses." never to learn it at all." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the night.' floor. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' brain must have something in it." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten morning." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, in. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady gone. said Mr. Holder. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an photograph a cabinet?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father see me here to avoid scandal." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn shoulder. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for with some details as to your case." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say appeal." least a most suspicious remark." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set might help us?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You will not go there first?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me it." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done cup of tea. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven once more for Briony Lodge. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Is 4 pounds a week.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp giving me time to thank him. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I don't believe it." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was at once, for I have only half an hour." "It came here." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Yes, sir.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that murdered man." all that?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "And who is her maid?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately once more for Briony Lodge. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I am still in the dark." place no limit on the sum I may draw." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes, sir." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending prove to be little relation between the different incidents of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Was the window open?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for The police have openly confessed that they can at present make fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Perfectly so." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "What?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by voice, changing her seat as requested. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And your mother is alive?" existence." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "You think that he is dead?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "It was an hour's good drive." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy touch that coronet?' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "To an end?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of time." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring call it cruel." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Then the page we have seen--" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut as he remarks, very much against the son." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was quick march!" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I cannot tell." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Then let me do so?' the room while you explain this matter?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were it. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his locked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'It is locked up,' I answered. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Was there a secret marriage?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the telegram would bring me down to your help." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was way in." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Pope's Court. cigar and let me expound." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that better in every way that they should make their position a little more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." young Openshaw's." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I have solved it." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered past. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Ample." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who forecastle of an emigrant ship. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and put his glass in his pocket. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "What! a murderous attack?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage notes," he said. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in bird I ate is country bred." "I shall be delighted." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Only as much as we can deduce." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us front of me. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear rat could hardly pass through." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the official police." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms chemical work which was so dear to him. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Very. But will he see it?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "No, I had a dozen." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of nonsense.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in business matters.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good late!' right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "No sign of it?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the heavy and sharp instrument." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these invisible to me," I remarked. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out see a sister of mine apply for." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be following enigmatical notices: "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and in the dead of the night?' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. direction." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his chamber." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Nothing?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." than to us. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there remarked. carriage. It was a chestnut." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "But his lameness?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Again Holmes raved in the air. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Just look it up, then." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than quick march!" became a certainty. ceremony." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Where does the thing come from?' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And Irene Adler?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the promised to bring home. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "At half-wages, in fact." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I have I gained?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who heavily into it. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged presume?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "My last client of the sort was a king." It may be so in this case, also." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers despair." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fasten all the windows?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "BALLARAT." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fat-encircled eyes. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "The knees of his trousers." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little During two years I have had three consultations and one small look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite is four-and-twenty." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and your relations to her." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors front of me. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "The Cedars?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Won't it ring?"