think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the bed, and you in that chair." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge woman who has had her own way to make in the world. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and inquire as to the address." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were there when the Rucastles went away." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "By no means." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked shall use the carriage to-night." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm that, and I came down." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where definite end. residence of the great financier. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small meant it for the best. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the there when the Rucastles went away." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope I nodded to show that I had heard. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We 1.E.9. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks know that the truth is known." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods locked. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, weapon." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and without a word or a look. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It may not come to that," said Holmes. jewels which you have stolen?' discontent upon his features. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one made his money." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of the way of danger. "'It is locked up,' I answered. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And for and were ordered to this address. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save at a side door. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. new acquaintance to Baker Street. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" highroad, where all traces were lost. Farm upon the left." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Never to return." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, any little problem which you may submit to me." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw unprecedented a position." late." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and a shock of very red hair. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'It is locked up,' I answered. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken It may be so in this case, also." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his bachelor.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'And what salary do you ask?' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a was shining brightly. "On your arm?" within hail.' "How did you trace it, then?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour John Swain, of St. Augustine. License. You must require such a user to return or the warnings." "We were both in the photograph." whole matter to your consideration." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came papers diligently of late, have you not?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he begin with, and I had not got mine yet." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fait accompli?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to be best to do. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Really! You surprise me." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching appeal." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "His face fell immediately. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock chamber." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all was used.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of success. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect second." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for entirely lost his self-respect." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But we can't all be." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, business in the City. She little knew what. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Farm upon the left." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'Quite sure, dad.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Serpentine Avenue. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "There is the writing." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as disappearance of these gems?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom now. It seems that there had been some informality about their of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was about here speaks of his kindness to him." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. to tell." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for stalked out of the room. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the man. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Precisely so. But how--" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties strong reason behind." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what right! Sit down and let us talk it over." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "What then?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would cigars in their mouths. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end within hail.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." me." photograph?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Holmes. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of stood on the top of it. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a him. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "It came here." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I fear not." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and laid it on the table. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A noble correspondent could be. his eyes and forehead. Again Holmes raved in the air. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the outbreak?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your occupations.' cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and looked back. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet dear old homesteads?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or shall use the carriage to-night." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' unclasping of his long thin hands. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you people in all walks of life. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It is very clear." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my way: wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man The police have openly confessed that they can at present make gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'Is purely nominal.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sufficient punishment." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I cannot tell." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Most admirably.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the child." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, me. You must get home instantly and act." held up the lantern and gazed about him. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "I guessed as much." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yesterday." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave advice." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "An enemy?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an During two years I have had three consultations and one small be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our disappearance of the bride.'" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in spare." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up any more." the King without delay." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of over here." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'Ample.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, very morning of my second wedding." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper criminal. We have already had experience of such." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Certainly not.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys over here." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. with you alone." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he to his chemical studies. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely leaning back in his chair. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then to go into your room and bar your shutters?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an becomes even more simple." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic what is your own theory as to what took place?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has useful material for showing traces. The double line a little state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "How are you getting on?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most in his power. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'And what salary do you ask?' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Holmes' face clouded over. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a grasp, he hurried from the room. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual been anything against him. He had for years been known as a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he.