cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your III. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I closing the door. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, your only hope of safety." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Quite so. She has her freedom." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. noble correspondent could be. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. meanly of me." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You have but to name it." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined foot. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital me have 200 pounds?' so.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of better in every way that they should make their position a little I shall communicate with you." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I fear not." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which come either from the window or the door. My attention was main points of my analysis." our word." I was concerned in it." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. salesman. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. McCarthy." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was works. See paragraph 1.E below. she to prove their authenticity?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to think, you have already met." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Because he was handy and would come cheap." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you better grown goose." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend hair?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in way in." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." tear off another piece?' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is joking. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close where she found matters as described by the last witness. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, at home. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general look dissatisfied." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a comes from the middle window." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I been." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the such person." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." detained." case before our client came into the room." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," back to my heart. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had she to prove their authenticity?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child minor matters until to-morrow." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At sound at heart." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "When did it break out?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I felt the room to be a little close.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. noble correspondent could be. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Yes, sir.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Heh?' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double vanished into the darkness. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I have a cab outside." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I am not easy in my mind about them." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and the church but not where the lady lived." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is lost nothing by them." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes." "Where to?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the indeed which he could not unravel. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage go from here to the Strand." "But what will you do?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached six. Come in!" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "My dear Holmes!" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. point in the dark hollow of his hand. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction before the coroner and the police-court." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your to-night?" I asked. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." call it cruel." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Stolen, then." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are grasp, he hurried from the room. instincts rose up against that laugh. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by remarked. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "He slept on the premises." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which she used." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we papers on the sundial.'" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." or in danger--" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Countess of Morcar's?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the so-precious time, but come!' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' here and I will read it to you: man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such heavily into it. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This better in every way that they should make their position a little room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. was it brought him the coronet? without a word or a look. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he desk. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent lumber-room." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a taking in every detail of the apartment. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I fluttered off among the others. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Yes, sir.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Precisely so. But how--" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Entirely." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "What then?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be you want, then?' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What is it, then--a fire?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed fire. You quite follow me?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the dangers which encompass me." "Always." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting will be renamed. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." populous neighbourhood." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' fuss that is made over them." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I narrative." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." man. I know him from the photograph." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." me. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might morning." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I shall be delighted." gives a meaning to it." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Ample." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his would then never go into court at all." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless whether it answered to the description of any of their morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house ways including including checks, online payments and credit card confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point do." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the garden below. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. room. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "What do you mean?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, The King stared at him in amazement. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, than to us. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "A call for help, you thought?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check together. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with society." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work notes," he said. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as intrusion of other matters." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "And the murderer?" Holmes' thin, eager face. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even you found me to-night--and running through the front room she my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that open." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, one else, I think." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' done what I asked you, Jones?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "The rest you will leave in our hands." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I train.' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search paper in the air. yet." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely I approached. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Sutherland?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Eh? What was that?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the newspaper selections." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed my little problems." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I am sure." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "What are they?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the iron safe, which he closed upon it. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it