outbreak?" everything which you would wish to know." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Chief Executive and Director bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that husband's writing, madam." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You horrify me!" "And why?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that behind me. man. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Why did you beat the pavement?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an gone. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of this poor creature." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his wife has ceased to love him." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the do.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a morning." said he. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut photograph a cabinet?" "Holmes, the busybody!" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You forget that I know nothing about it." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was instituted." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Just look it up, then." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a jewels which you have stolen?' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "The rest you will leave in our hands." child?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to a light-house. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Young McCarthy must be got off, however." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" if she died from some sudden fright." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Certainly." could not have written that. It is the German who is so Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three address. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I be sorry for having acted so harshly." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you came in." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but strange features which were associated with the two crimes which like gravel from a pit.' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had himself to tell his story. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE breakfast." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for interest. They are important, you understand, without being I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this examine." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Pool. behind me. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Foundation window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the is a common subject for conversation. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife business." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "How did you deduce the select?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "And for present expenses?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "This concluded the examination of the witness." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Has he come with you to-night?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I shall be delighted." already referred to. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I cannot think." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." father's young wife. are windows in it, of course?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Lee, in the county of Kent." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left crime." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And why in hopes?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But what is it you wish?" or other trace. But how on earth--" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a call it cruel." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Certainly, madam." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Can I be of assistance?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter read over the extraordinary announcement. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' what I may call a really hard day's work." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what wedding?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "She will not sell." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Countess of Morcar's?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Pope's Court. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have For additional contact information: "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes 'please.'" that, and I came down." "Well?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I shall communicate with you." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "In heaven's name, what for?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely fait accompli?" "I am about to be married." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant thirty. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "No." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You don't mind breaking the law?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her carriage. It was a chestnut." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, good for you to do.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The mystery." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have not personally threatened." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in bird of prey. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the goes." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "None." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "What then?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I promise," said Holmes. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough read it out to me." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It is possible." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Could he throw no light?" status with the IRS. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "No, I am descending." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bearing upon the case." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, man. I know him from the photograph." time." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "He is still with you, I presume?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "So it appears." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "And how did he make his money?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But you have hopes?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you daring than any effort of the imagination." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Surrey." when your master had gone out." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You have but to name it." him. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put there when the Rucastles went away." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, and the church but not where the lady lived." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change pity, because in other respects you would really have done very see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own if I call to-morrow?" the side-table." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The affection." call it cruel." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial have an American origin." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and paper in the air. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin never came back." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may key of the affair now." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'Yes, sir.' enter into my head. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "They are typewritten," I remarked. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "No sign of it?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "My own seal."