lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "That is it on the dressing-table." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "My Mary? Impossible!" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It missed him, then?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "It is a murder, then?" Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Then I do not see the point." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door point in the dark hollow of his hand. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining again." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the coronet in his hand?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "None." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "So I heard. You have him here?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand indeed which he could not unravel. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Yes, I have one waiting." "That is possible." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'I am sure if I had known--' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Then the page we have seen--" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out in him." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "And what did you learn from him?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Was he the only applicant?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "No." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush lips." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. shoulder. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "How long did she speak to this Alice?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser rose-bushes. fishes. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the that row." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite know all about it," he snarled. in a very precise fashion." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the are, and they are waiting for us." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "And why in hopes?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Most admirably.' your only hope of safety." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary *** START: FULL LICENSE *** husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is way: a good hundred miles off by now." away to you." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have your most interesting statement." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Nothing." "In answer to an advertisement." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, affair. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' hurried away. "Quite so." "I have my revolver," said I. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Did he not advertise?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord in the port of London." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not use it unless it is absolutely needed." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Of what?" article?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I have solved it." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered interests were the same as his." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Not in a good cause." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and yards of it?' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A made him keep the appointment." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "But to whom?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in jewels which you have stolen?' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And that is--" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It missed him, then?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the tragedy. "And Miss Sutherland?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" whatever might befall. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. fat-encircled eyes. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the assist you in forming an opinion." again." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they breakfast." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But how?" she might be summoned. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." events, Mr. Windibank!" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of at a side door. interest. They are important, you understand, without being your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are woman." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "What shall I do?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Foundation mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself sooner or later she must fall a victim. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to that open window." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the tragedy. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of plantation.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Yes." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "That is easily got." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My congratulate you again." "Her father is very rich?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a point in the dark hollow of his hand. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I have hopes." "I guessed as much." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'It is locked up,' I answered. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the when your master had gone out." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "It was." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to already referred to. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a crowd. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "It was a confession," I ejaculated. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you in your example." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Thank you. And your address?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Dark enough and sinister enough." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in this Miss Turner." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the outside." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was cheerful." "Which are?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward forecastle of an emigrant ship. other means.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the occurred." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I cannot imagine." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their she might be summoned. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Witness: It was. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "We were both in the photograph." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out remarked. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George were wasted." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up must compliment you." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his knees, staring into the fire. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Whose house is it?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more written, and locked the door of the office after me. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. me upon any point which I do not make clear." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "What!" he roared. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to-night?" I asked. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A some place of shelter and let the county police know what has ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon becomes even more simple." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Yes, only one." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without goes." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this have an American origin." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I cannot tell." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Holmes, the busybody!" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Have you her photograph?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our soul! here is her carriage at the door." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "But it has twice been burgled." "Then what has happened to him?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Then I do not see the point." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the interested in these little problems, and since you are good quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very business." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and laid it on the table. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I should like to see him very much." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from