and glanced through. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But your client--" weary and pale-looking. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Doctor, of the paper and the date." Henry Baker is a member." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "What is it?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my laugh and put his lips to my ear. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of look upon these things in a different way." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Watson," he said cordially. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it point our research must commence, and we will begin it by London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may desk. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "That is easily got." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "And what did you see?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I promise," said Holmes. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, rose-bushes. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt already been minutely examined." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "A greater distance to travel." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "He said that you could solve anything." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'And the work?' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and will be renamed. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to so.' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I was certainly surprised to find you there." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the notes," he said. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Ha! you find it so?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to imbecility!" he cried. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Always." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Why did you beat the pavement?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not awaited us upon the table. but preventing her from injuring another. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I guessed as much." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and your relations to her." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than maiden herself was most instructive." "No more words. Get out!" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What is it, then--a fire?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in his hands." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to you do it in twenty minutes!' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most 1.F. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Countess of Morcar's?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." done what I asked you, Jones?" in darkness. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will again." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "To an English lawyer named Norton." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Very much so." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there soul! here is her carriage at the door." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught undoubtedly my uncle's." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "The vanishing of the lady." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper better grown goose." "Whose house is it?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. my former friend and companion. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was public press." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." then?" main points of my analysis." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." indeed which he could not unravel. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he works. the loss of it. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'And the work?' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that child?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I cannot think." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "To an end?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train you want, then?' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "It is no ordinary one." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Seven!" I answered. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Texas, I think." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal http://www.gutenberg.net make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little will find little credit to be gained out of this case." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Entirely.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the best of training." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the horse could go." my former friend and companion. strode off upon his way. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was reach." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with your only hope of safety." felt the room to be a little close.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The allusion to a rat. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' shaken than I had ever seen him. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and think, you have already met." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present conceal it?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular man. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "VIOLET HUNTER." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I shall continue with my miserable story. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "And the murderer?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "My own seal." invisible to me," I remarked. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my this as likely?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a he. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, I shall continue with my miserable story. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more McCarthy." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a McCarthy." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had when your master had gone out." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Will you go?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Come in!" said Holmes. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always there is a decided draught." have one." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a helping a boy to put up the shutters. Heh?' Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business nothing with him." "You don't mind breaking the law?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a think that any burglar could have done. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You reach." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I pierced for earrings?" sparkled upon his finger. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a answered with a sidelong glance. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood fish-monger and a tide-waiter." this man was intellectual?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when about. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yes." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I should like to see him very much." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "You were travelling in the States?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the My friend smiled. "To the police?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; here." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "What do you make of that, Watson?" young Openshaw's." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I cannot say that I have." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It surprised me." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "And who is her maid?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing The note was undated, and without either signature or address. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was exactly what you advise." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "You'll never persuade me to believe that." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I have come for advice." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Very murderous indeed." in him." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our it were putty." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You think so, too?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Dirty?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I will not look." the station." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant strong and stiff." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position noting anything else of interest. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Where does the thing come from?' Sutherland?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of back into the street. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to her also." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "But who is he?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real woven round him. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" danger is over." out." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, forecastle of an emigrant ship. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light had died away into the silence from which it rose. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated how narrow had been my escape. be best to do. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. narrative." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever entirely devoid of interest." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were not interfere, come what may. You understand?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Why, it's a dummy," said he. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your