his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "That is easily got." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without ventilator." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I fear not." Project Gutenberg-tm works. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'I have heard so.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Where could I find him?' sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a from you?" "And it is--" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "What do you mean?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day comes from the middle window." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of father's young wife. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "But you would not advise me to refuse?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that triumphant cloud from his cigarette. thin legs towards the fire. "Stoke Moran?" said he. nothing with him." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I will not look." "Witness: Nothing definite. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "No." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the redistribution. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too woven round him. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'What, the red-headed man?' heavily into it. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, acquaintance?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What it with his own hands." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a chemical work which was so dear to him. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'Where to?' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the nursery. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "One?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. lumber-room." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp said he at last. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "He slept on the premises." strode off upon his way. status with the IRS. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a father's place of business?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should money should be paid at once.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate locked." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has evidence," I remarked. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us quick march!" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of done what I asked you, Jones?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before held up the lantern and gazed about him. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Your presence might be invaluable." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, have accepted such a situation. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Henry Baker is a member." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. like gravel from a pit.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious weary and pale-looking. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking green of the new foliage. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle in darkness. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It is no ordinary one." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "But you can know nothing of this?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and furiously. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "But how will you look?" in this note: France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so south, for the country is more deserted there." "What! a murderous attack?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ordinary clothes on?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." good for you to do.' to have been novel and of interest." "'I am sure that I do not know.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or geese which you supplied to the Alpha." me have 200 pounds?' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, DISSOLVED. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." as this. Pray let me have the details." "But how?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in not, dad?" she asked. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on anything to a woman, for she would have her way." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "He is dead," cried several voices. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of place of silver." "Ten will be early enough." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the What do you deduce from it?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and that he would see to anything that turned up. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he next day. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of husband's writing, madam." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I answered that I had not. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. companion quietly. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." clanging. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Then how many are there?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I shall communicate with you." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "He might." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again what is your own theory as to what took place?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our works. See paragraph 1.E below. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a three fields round his house, and there he would take his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? experiences." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in the dead of the night?' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his into the room. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have my revolver," said I. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the coronet in his hand?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between congratulate you again." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at your sleep?' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the some terrible trap for her." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I will try. What is it?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even went to the Alpha were town bred." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," constraint." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "We have tried and failed." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may dear old homesteads?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty answered with a sidelong glance. this man was intellectual?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's go--none." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has telegram would bring me down to your help." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really in this note: coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a tension within him. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'I am sure if I had known--' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Ten to two.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat husband's writing, madam." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think unprecedented a position." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular get her out of the way." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Eyford." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "No?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "She showed me, as I told you she would." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of leave you to your papers for a little." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the warnings." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What do you mean?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I cannot imagine." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and be.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'About the same.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Did you become engaged then?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly