Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "My opinion is in no way altered." is worth.' "From his hat?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" unprecedented a position." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds matter." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have shoulder; "he's all right." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back shall not find me ungrateful." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce point our research must commence, and we will begin it by bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My own seal." of them has the shutters up.' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where pierced for earrings?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You saw the ventilator, too?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and rose-bushes. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "In the cells." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. business." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong appeal." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a monotonous occupation." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "That is easily got." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off or other trace. But how on earth--" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he danger is over." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she security.' the window, rose as we entered. October 9, 1890. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which assist you in forming an opinion." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "You are hungry," I remarked. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Certainly." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the certainly not very gracious." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did writers could invent nothing more crude." his forehead." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Where did he live, then?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he copied or distributed: he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used giving me time to thank him. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to that he has suffered." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little morning." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Lee, in the county of Kent." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. are, I think, all that we need." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "And on what day did he meet his death?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the which it had come upon my father." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until breakfast." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "But how?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "He slept on the premises." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Do you know him?" you understand?" there." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next his forehead." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Not particularly." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the tear off another piece?' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Very well, sir. And this stone?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'A dozen yards or so.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and matter over." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of cup of tea. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It missed him, then?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple asked. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with but preventing her from injuring another. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "What then?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible nonsense.' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and I shall be with you presently." too. "Then you may be so with me." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was lame." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to his forehead." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "And Irene Adler?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Come in!" said he. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was gigantic client. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I should be immensely obliged to you." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for light and attacked it." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; their singular warning or token before them when starting upon sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of it with the greatest attention. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "On your arm?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not bare slabs of marble. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' walking." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards place of silver." any more." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with fact, we may call it conclusive." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his peculiar to him. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, made his money." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Well?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the your co-operation." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "A call for help, you thought?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a like that before?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing again on its way. me. You must get home instantly and act." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker taking in every detail of the apartment. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from this man was intellectual?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the do you make of it all?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the trifles." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the telegram would bring me down to your help." pierced for earrings?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gigantic client. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." gone. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with it were putty." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke unclasping of his long thin hands. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was III. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his danger is over." felt?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow could go. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But what will you do?" society." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his direction." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, are windows in it, of course?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Clair, of Lee." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the once more to my work. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was I was concerned in it." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with assist you in forming an opinion." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And Irene Adler?" remarked. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. your only hope of safety." "Yes, sir." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will other means.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave ran thus: "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door could not have written that. It is the German who is so doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to which we had just quitted. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "In the cells." "Murdered?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "The rest you will leave in our hands." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings where we are going." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Holmes' room. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One gentleman's clothes. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing bell. Holmes whistled. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in a friendly supper." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." as this. Pray let me have the details." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at you for a few hours?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Arthur Conan Doyle then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the dangers which encompass me." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Stolen!' he cried. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Why did you pick him?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Upon what point?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the into the bag, and made for the door. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "What have you to say now?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Farm upon the left." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the very letters. But what is this written above them?' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to approach us with offers to donate. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "My opinion is in no way altered." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see nothing of it?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His he died? he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "A call for help, you thought?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent window when the police appeared." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But went to the Alpha were town bred." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "But the mystery?" anything to do with the matter?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of one which it was hard to resist. window when the police appeared." one which it was hard to resist. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the them?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his eyes and forehead. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Dr. Gregory B. Newby he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell been lifted and conveyed somewhere." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in