the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." criminal. We have already had experience of such." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Who by?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Nothing?" a suggestive one." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "What is it?" "And what then?" strong and stiff." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fishes. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to went to the Alpha were town bred." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the quite distinctive." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean later, upon the night of May 2nd." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged door?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, to a light-house. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." you, my dear young lady?' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten woman who has had her own way to make in the world. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'There is a drive, then?' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" standing smiling on the door-step. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked sake, don't!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he without a word or a look. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King John Swain, of St. Augustine. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, there in twenty minutes." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal very old mansion. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Where did he live, then?" throat." and all of them with the keenest interest. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which quite distinctive." tension within him. electronic works did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very green of the new foliage. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but despaired of." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have disappearance of these gems?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It is no ordinary one." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard depend upon my doing so.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three business in the City. She little knew what. him. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. behind me. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with it right.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others sufficient punishment." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." purpose equally well?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Certainly,' I answered. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that hands. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "But who is he?" to affect your life." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Deserted you?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Of Friday, June 19th." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for just called myself is not exactly my own." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I answered that I had not. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as she to prove their authenticity?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have and the church but not where the lady lived." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be forecastle of an emigrant ship. generous with you in money matters.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Then I do not see the point." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." cigar and let me expound." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation was lame." question," said Holmes, smiling. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have to-night." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Dr. Gregory B. Newby four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Absolutely?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of Mr. Rucastle's." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," little trying to do so much typewriting?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Quite so. She has her freedom." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the matter?" "Which are?" "Yes, that is the Crown." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the Red-headed League." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not breakfast." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'What then?' I asked. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "But how did you gain them?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. you, my dear young lady?' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I his face. "She will not sell." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I said Mr. Holder. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand I held the little printed slip to the light. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the south-west, I see." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." never to learn it at all." "The murder was done with it." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "How are you getting on?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "And what then?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. roused himself from his reverie. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room there was no need for father to know." "But how will you look?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said hurried away. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Then, how do you know?" "How can you tell that?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "You were travelling in the States?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I cannot as yet see any connection." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "It was a confession," I ejaculated. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before clang of the bell. that he will be back before evening." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I approached. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted him to be an active member of the medical profession." people in all walks of life. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "How did you deduce the select?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes amused." "Yes, from Horsham." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon walking." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Yes, sir." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into goes." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in round with crates and massive boxes. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her flock.' awkward doing business with an alias." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to certainly not very gracious." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "What do you make of that, Watson?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I am to be neutral?" never to learn it at all." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "How do you know, then?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'Certainly not. But why?' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I fashion which was peculiar to him. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the child." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the shoulder. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to-night?" I asked. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project said Mr. Holder. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight article?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. gone before you can get him to hospital." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we But Holmes shook his head gravely. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him burst into a hearty fit of laughter. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little despair." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. His smile broadened. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Yes." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I problems help me to do so." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers at a side door. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is