"I am to be neutral?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons should be taken.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I will, Miss Turner." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'There is a drive, then?' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built quickly through a disagreeable task. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "But you can know nothing of this?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to if I call to-morrow?" asked. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I do." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile ago." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." himself to hunt down. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk of this gang." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little for the market.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will without a word or a look. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I waste of energy." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round occupations.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon your sleep?' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Dr. Becher's." "And I to find an enemy." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "In which, sir?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have entirely lost his self-respect." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'And what are they worth?' I asked. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "But his lameness?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "That you are never beaten." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it was already answered. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some amused." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Pope's Court. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some pound a week." yet." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." as noiselessly as she had come. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual upon an income of about 60 pounds." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It was an hour's good drive." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread may never be exposed to such a temptation." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. at home. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," kind enough to tell me what I should do." "She told me to ask you." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You will not go there first?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were seen the man in the road." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to page at http://pglaf.org "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without newspaper selections." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the station." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Was she in good spirits?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "What will you do, then?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should are windows in it, of course?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the dead, shall be safe with us." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the King without delay." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir I leave." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the village inn over there?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. tear off another piece?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where way in." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and written. "'And the work?' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Why serious?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in you." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? seem to you to be relevant or not." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is washing it down with a long draught of water. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fear." said I. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Come in!" said Holmes. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the gone before you can get him to hospital." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her were wasted." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." individual and becomes the badge of a society." upon a handsome competence. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Serpentine Avenue. nonsense.' the stones. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were locked." the south-west, I see." introspective fashion. have been better. It is all right." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my despair." train.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. drove away. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every certainly do as you advise." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, chemical work which was so dear to him. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Lee, in the county of Kent." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "But how?" crime. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line forbidden door. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke generous with you in money matters.' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What! Had he lost his wife?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You have it, sir, just as it happened." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the possible that we could bring him back to her? "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an attention." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' with the outside air!" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate had formerly been in part my own. "There are none." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps occurred." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the that you saw all that I did." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the must compliment you." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Always." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the cup of tea. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. a room. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a true." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Nothing." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such III. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those round with crates and massive boxes. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fishes. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the less than 26s. 4d. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "He said too much." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of take the flies, but not before." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "That is easily got." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I am all attention, madam." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him voice, changing her seat as requested. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite point in the dark hollow of his hand. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am had no one to advise her at such a crisis." into the bag, and made for the door. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which too. the morning and make my own way in the world.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that experiences." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is very clear." burst out into a roar of laughter. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall go--none." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it just called myself is not exactly my own." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt shoulder. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is sooner or later she must fall a victim. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ready to-morrow?' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the them present such singular features as the strange train of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Here?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my lost nothing by them." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the a good hundred miles off by now." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was me. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive it were putty." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "He said too much." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this strong and stiff." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is did not hear it also.' examine." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "'About the same.' the evening of the tragedy that had occurred.