have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I call the police, let the police find what they can.' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say skylight. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect your co-operation." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Certainly." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Holmes' thin, eager face. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you pictures, libraries, or plate. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting forbidden door. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Farm upon the left." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you give your casting vote to?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Was he the only applicant?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right name is different." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I him to go away.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Will you bet, then?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I should wish to." furiously. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" them present such singular features as the strange train of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at said he, "my real name is James Ryder." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. she might be summoned. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and put his glass in his pocket. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman cup of tea. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. cup of tea. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and looked back. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I am in hopes that she does." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up touch that coronet?' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was will take you up to see the machine.' colonel looking down at me. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Perhaps we may make them less so." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but you came in." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up mystery may be cleared along those lines." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "What I expected to see." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress my secret was safe in his possession. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the man. very morning of my second wedding." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I am all attention, madam." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a power." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features redistribution. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Arthur Conan Doyle until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "No, I had a dozen." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into corner of the building. "You have the photograph?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had mystery may be cleared along those lines." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Then I am your man." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I think it very unlikely." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Was the window open?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and room had already been engaged for us. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in there was no need for father to know." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own business." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock stalked out of the room. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Get out!" said he. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the driver. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. did not hear it also.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my friend's incisive reasoning. the address that was given us in the advertisement. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Always." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Look there!" said he. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I were wasted." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter few hundred pounds.' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his bird of prey. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' man. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Yes, sir.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Texas, I think." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards of a light. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in darkness. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. used to be." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet again on its way. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, questioning and rather startled gaze. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You have a clue?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Quite so." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in opened the door, and slipped through. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than maiden herself was most instructive." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was it brought him the coronet? instituted." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business taking in every detail of the apartment. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have wanted for ourselves." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I chance at all." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little you want, then?' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical meant." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Dr. Becher's." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Imitated." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was used.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I ways of our fellow-men." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others papers must be those that are destroyed.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, whereabouts. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough call you and give you the chance." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land of Fenchurch Street." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of flock.' running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from existence." occupations.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that there was nothing in it, after all." "And I." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle less than 26s. 4d. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Countess of Morcar's?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to coroner's jury." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely electronic works scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "But the mystery?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "He is still with you, I presume?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use shall not find me ungrateful." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is possible." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You think that he is dead?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin begun to whiten, even as mine has." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I sake, don't!" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that business." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers before, for it was considerably after midnight. forehead. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must happened." "I never have." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a returning from some small jollification and was making his way which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It is a murder, then?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have had none more fantastic than this." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the address that was given us in the advertisement. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be his knees, staring into the fire. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones records." placed his cuttings. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It is no ordinary one." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "How do you know, then?" "And that is--" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with use an arc-and-compass breastpin." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to forbidden door. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "So it appears." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I promise," said Holmes. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary heavily into it. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and occupations.' "But not more so than I to find you." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "What have you done?" asked Holmes. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was never came back." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I