"I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "The King of Scandinavia." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Thank you. And your address?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Perhaps we may make them less so." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless posted to-day." "Which are?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Yes, that is the Crown." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after chambers. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And now?" I asked. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my electronic works to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Watson," he said cordially. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "9th. McCauley cleared. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Bought." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, and I shall be with you presently." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Yes. He waved his hands." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was keenly on my guard against him. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in which are rolled in Rotterdam." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Murdered?" my secret was safe in his possession. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "It's nothing of the kind." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Why did you beat the pavement?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an it." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which are rolled in Rotterdam." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that I am arrested." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a a good hundred miles off by now." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I held the little printed slip to the light. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I instituted." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to until night should bring an explanation. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I have come for advice." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the bed, and you in that chair." fattened it expressly for you.' By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which thirty. said I. opened the door, and slipped through. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall could gather together that I was able to avert another public suddenly upon us." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Not in the least." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that newspaper selections." second." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "He might." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear could not account in any way for the presence of the missing it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf of campaign. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my forehead. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. learned something! Where are the gems?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything which I could not give. He asked for Alice. me have 200 pounds?' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I am in hopes that she does." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in imbecility!" he cried. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "My dear Holmes!" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether joking. "Did your wife hear all this?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this The summons was a brief and urgent one. vanished into the darkness. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their should be taken.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without with her." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; gone before you can get him to hospital." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Will you bet, then?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which memory. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the emerged. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like grasp, he hurried from the room. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria signal between you and your father? Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Witness: I must still refuse. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to at a side door. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms were wasted." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution tightly behind him. bedroom door." fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, works. See paragraph 1.E below. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of mysterious end." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he followed. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "I cannot say that I have." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I leave." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "But how did you gain them?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you felt?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And Irene Adler?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon notes," he said. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly your co-operation." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Do you know him?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor points in connection with it which never have been, and probably held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once points in connection with it which never have been, and probably sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "But he might be a bachelor." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "But what harm can there be in that?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "But his left-handedness." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the warnings." "Yes, at the mines." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But not more so than I to find you." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really woman who has had her own way to make in the world. certainly not very gracious." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "My last client of the sort was a king." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it know what is wrong with it.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'You cannot say what it was?' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch 11:15.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was other means.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. fat-encircled eyes. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on not use it unless it is absolutely needed." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Do you know him?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb very morning of my second wedding." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Was the window open?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with direction." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Holmes." "In which, sir?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, later, upon the night of May 2nd." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "The best possible." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. good for you to do.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked companion. "'Is purely nominal.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have kind enough to tell me what I should do." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to miss it." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we into her hand at the door and which lured her within their light and attacked it." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Yes." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not for the market.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent cost them two and thirty pounds." could go. so far?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Have you it here?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the roots. the tragedy. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. been deceived." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The acted in my house last night?" shoulder. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich McCarthy's innocence. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, conclusions. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I purpose equally well?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our your own bird, so if you wish--" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And it is--" "'About the same.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful use an arc-and-compass breastpin." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "But to whom?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by you." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I cannot tell." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for *** START: FULL LICENSE *** immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I power." exactly what you advise." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he