Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and future lives." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, vault. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you goes." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you during which he might have communicated with his friend the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever lips." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Your presence might be invaluable." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Your presence might be invaluable." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It missed him, then?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fat-encircled eyes. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the I nodded again. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Witness: I must still refuse. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "An enemy?" 1.E.9. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and meant." knowledge of the world." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm cost them two and thirty pounds." page at http://pglaf.org "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Not in the least." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of could gather together that I was able to avert another public fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "One of his hands." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "My last client of the sort was a king." already been minutely examined." observed. and the church but not where the lady lived." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was this as likely?" Gutenberg-tm License. ourselves in the office." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Young McCarthy must be got off, however." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before directly by questioning you." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from footfalls from the street. "What, then?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees spare." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." whether it answered to the description of any of their in the port of London." Cross for the Continent." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." girl said." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make persecution?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I don't believe it." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I this poor creature." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Yes." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, His smile broadened. the salesman. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "That is also quite modern," said the lady. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the crime. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. strode off upon his way. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "An enemy?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." key of the affair now." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And the cigar-holder?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you, my dear young lady?' "You think so, too?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which me. You must get home instantly and act." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Quite so." "I will, Miss Turner." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fat-encircled eyes. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but depend upon your compliance." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the side-table." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save said I. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "And I to find an enemy." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." dear old homesteads?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand think, you have already met." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could me. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave weighed down with some great anxiety. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "But she will refuse." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, sound at heart." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, chance." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter unprofitable." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in him." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then are, and they are waiting for us." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been depend upon my doing so.' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I am in hopes that she does." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "But his left-handedness." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you awaited us upon the table. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You are hungry," I remarked. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her as he folded up the epistle. upon the white wrist. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "So it appears." this remarkable episode. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "What is it, then--a fire?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit fait accompli?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations telegram would bring me down to your help." made him keep the appointment." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Edgeware Road. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "On your arm?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but charge against him will break down." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece one's self under obligations.' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past some water from a caraffe. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "My dear Holmes!" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I down. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he His name is Francis Prosper." "I would give my fortune to have them back." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'Stolen!' he cried. "It is half-past ten now." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, were new raised from a basin. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project lamp. "In which, sir?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day them, and came down just as you departed. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Ha! you find it so?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the my little problems." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving over part of the map. "What do you read?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do of the efforts of the United States government and of the better morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "You have a clue?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Why serious?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It trifles." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally You can understand that this register and diary may implicate your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, believe that I should never have any practice at all. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" you do it in twenty minutes!' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the morning." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of them has the shutters up.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be opened the door, and slipped through. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a here and I will read it to you: "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Your French gold?" "No bad?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his see a sister of mine apply for." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless morning." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall started for the Temple to see my husband. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "No good news?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The these bleak autumnal evenings." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Where does the thing come from?' think that he is innocent?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit III. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." crime. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon make me his representative both with the servants and with the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "What office?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and inquire as to the address." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm as he remarks, very much against the son." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he pictures, libraries, or plate. "I have solved it." congratulate you again." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner paper in the air. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "What of the rat, then?" "Imitated." "Could he throw no light?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you, my dear young lady?' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "No. What a strange idea!" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "None." "That's no good." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an writers could invent nothing more crude." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding