photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are now. It seems that there had been some informality about their young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help him to go away.' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, at my remark. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Will you go?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Yes, at the mines." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I congratulate you again." undoubtedly my uncle's." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Ah!" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. good for you to do.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And how did you verify them?" "Proceed, then." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "No?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I retorted upon me, and I on you." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a made him keep the appointment." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Stolen." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes will he say when he returns?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me have had none more fantastic than this." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his fortune, and I went back to pa. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had be.' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining occupations.' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "But how?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. ventilator." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his interests were the same as his." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." lectures into a series of tales." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "What! You do not mean bodies?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and McCarthy's innocence. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a me what he had done with the three missing stones. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies money should be paid at once.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of disappearance of these gems?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" husband's writing, madam." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Perhaps I have." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough where we are going." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very III. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "What steps will you take?" I asked. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the purpose of examination. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Pray do so." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Have you her photograph?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite to-night's adventure." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an situation." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I know where it is." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, address. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised families. Now for the facts. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium sparkled upon his finger. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "You are all wrong." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and one of the states of the Union." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he of receipt of the work. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "But she could not love him." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Where did you address your letters, then?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. deduce something from that?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he License. You must require such a user to return or used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who your room." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "And Miss Sutherland?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. roused himself from his reverie. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." green of the new foliage. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her flock.' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Which dealer's?' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few held up the lantern and gazed about him. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the dangers which encompass me." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, to have been novel and of interest." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the upon the sideboard." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Yes." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no one's self under obligations.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not you?' "What have you done?" asked Holmes. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yes." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I becomes even more simple." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I have seen the police." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say again." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and late." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yes, sir." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in his knees, staring into the fire. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is away into the river." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is without a word or a look. "By no means." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles hurried away. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You horrify me!" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room I think that I could be of assistance to you." so.' "But how did you gain them?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Deserted you?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, papers on the sundial.'" "'Yes.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of gigantic client. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Sholtos." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Will you bet, then?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Where to?" in one or two places in England?' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Yes, I promise.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Very. But will he see it?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk invisible to me," I remarked. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant is now desirous of getting those letters back." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by tassel actually lying upon the pillow. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, carpenter." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "It was an hour's good drive." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the tragedy. "Was he the only applicant?" one which it was hard to resist. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "We have tried and failed." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes, he did." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of about. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, that is the Crown." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Mary, has deserted me." lamp. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left plantation.' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be over his head with a sweet womanly caress. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Not in the least." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after you came in." death." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong even of instruction." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he said I. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "What! Had he lost his wife?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of which we had just quitted. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "And sit in the dark?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to fatally injured? the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He chamber." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? silent! Oh, he will be silent!' you in yours." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Then I am your man." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. arrested. You then--" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Yes." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a help us in this matter." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A astonishment. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'I have already given you my word.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "And sit in the dark?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by