vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, was already answered. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves keep the flames under. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates of the way of danger. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to tell." I have it here in my museum." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Yes." "I fear not." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Oh, yes, easily." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Yes, but only for you and me." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee point in the dark hollow of his hand. fishes. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "So it appears." "Dirty?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, charge against him will break down." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH his huge brown hands. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "So I have heard." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his was once confined in the cab my mission was practically pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small point in the dark hollow of his hand. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my be.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Sholtos." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the iron safe, which he closed upon it. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "So it appears." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with cigars in the box." laugh and put his lips to my ear. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was you understand?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the him to be an active member of the medical profession." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" questioning and rather startled gaze. Sutherland. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Which dealer's?' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all row." "Nothing." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" I have it here in my museum." than to us. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to later, upon the night of May 2nd." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "It is half-past ten now." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the general public were present, then?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of campaign. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I am to be neutral?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Certainly,' I answered. "Yes, it would be as well." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And what did you see?" "Pray do so." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, have accepted such a situation. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'Yes.' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'I am sure that I do not know.' the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion weapon." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." at once, for I have only half an hour." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It surprised me." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready or other trace. But how on earth--" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time returned to France?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. had a long day." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of crime. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "What! You do not mean bodies?" habit of advancing money.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side extraordinary contortions. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "We must have a cab." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the him. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in this way: his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" down. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Very murderous indeed." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, lamp in his hand. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange ways of our fellow-men." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these presented more singular features than that which was associated my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon electronic works business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by approach us with offers to donate. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, cup of tea. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the rooms." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I never have." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I should wish to." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I promise," said Holmes. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I don't believe it." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you presented more singular features than that which was associated a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." interests were the same as his." "From his hat?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "What?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what purpose of examination. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" might help us?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to tackle the facts." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "You did not overhear what they said?" and laid it on the table. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "On the contrary, this is the right side." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this From what you have told me I think that it is possible that road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the nothing of it?" "'Never,' said I. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a examine." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' it means?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It know that the truth is known." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant entirely devoid of interest." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Do you know him?" be.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the are, I think, all that we need." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with placed his cuttings. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Holmes, the busybody!" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No. His orders were to stay in the house." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker might have a private word with us. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would time." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had place, I think that there is good ground to think that the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Proceed, then." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that helping a boy to put up the shutters. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked third from London." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Yes.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hopeless attempt at recovering them." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew it means?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Nothing?" weapon." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. emerged. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that your sleep?' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder burst out into a roar of laughter. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I know where it is." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "But to whom?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never meanly of me." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case details should find their way into the papers. Inspector trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Holmes' room. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Absolutely none." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Thank you. And your address?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Chief Executive and Director glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and effective." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out ashen face. "'I have already given you my word.' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The be best to do. was it brought him the coronet? poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." galvanised. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly roused himself from his reverie. depend upon my doing so.' therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I London for the present?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources arrested. You then--" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "How on earth--" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped absorbing." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is eat it." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always other lovers by making love himself." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "You did not overhear what they said?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I deduce something from that?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "VIOLET HUNTER." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "How many? I don't know." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large walking." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded appeared upon the scene." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'As governess?' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "So I am. Very much so." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this derbies." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Yes." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And how did he make his money?" of his shoulders. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Miss Holder?" it were putty." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter