my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That amused." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I outside." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such mysterious end." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my notes," he said. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere hereditary King of Bohemia." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss whole matter to your consideration." "You know me, then?" his face. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Look there!" said he. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on for the market.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I will not look." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see returned to France?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had upon the white wrist. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. own family. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the my special province." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you companion. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every said I. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "On your arm?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single points to suicide?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He outside. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I with some details as to your case." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the station." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Certainly." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "What of the rat, then?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether directors, with the result that you have seen." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Yes, sir.' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is at home. to you." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem pierced for earrings?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. approach us with offers to donate. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window weary and pale-looking. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently really the only notable feature about the thing." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary cigars in the box." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yesterday." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Why, what do you mean?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, this as likely?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I am not easy in my mind about them." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to walking." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand which our visitor detailed to us. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An one's self under obligations.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "My last client of the sort was a king." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my himself to tell his story. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the bottom.' "Thank you. And your address?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying business in the City. She little knew what. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were official police." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Was she in good spirits?" breakfast?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of this gang." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Thank you. And your address?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "No." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should hour?' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Really! You surprise me." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The indeed happy." "What do you mean?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. up this clue while it is still hot." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed along the entire front of the house, with three long windows families. Now for the facts. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir there in twenty minutes." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm man. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "At what time?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was dear old homesteads?" "It surprised me." is worth.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very remarked. think that he is innocent?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders not fit the lock." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I in the port of London." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Edgeware Road. "The murder was done with it." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my thin legs towards the fire. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are narrative." away into the river." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had tell him that I know him to be innocent." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I beg pardon." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me my room." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "That is easily got." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have furiously. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "BALLARAT." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us as this. Pray let me have the details." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to Leatherhead. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence know what is wrong with it.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were gone. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little pound a week." forecastle of an emigrant ship. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Yes, sir." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his that, and I came down." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It is half-past ten now." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And help." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "To ruin me." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley presume?" "Did you observe the colour?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "The landlord of the Alpha." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public matter." yards of it?' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch which we had just quitted. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Dirty?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one already referred to. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid look upon these things in a different way." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to better grown goose." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and capable of preserving a secret.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent tapping his fingers upon the table. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer reach." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Breckinridge is his name." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he certainly not very gracious." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You were travelling in the States?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You horrify me!" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning him nearly every evening." Edgeware Road. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a ago." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very helping a boy to put up the shutters. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding call the police, let the police find what they can.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did name is different." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the carpenter." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic article?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "The murder was done with it." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Eyford." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, The King stared at him in amazement. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was second." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly McCarthy's innocence. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Texas, I think." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever a monotonous occupation." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover sofa. This way, please!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Precisely." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of a light. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary