night.' said he. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a strength of mind to control. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that society." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these arrested. You then--" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a distinguish the words: came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have experiences." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that him to be an active member of the medical profession." and the whole place is in a blaze." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to surprise her." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "How do you know, then?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." strength of mind to control. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of most interesting one." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Then I can wait in the next room." "'Where could I find him?' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Dirty?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely entirely devoid of interest." "Yes." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It was an hour's good drive." "My photograph." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, overpowering excitement and concern. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the stones. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the loss of it. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "My dear Holmes!" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and laid it on the table. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'There is a drive, then?' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." charge against him will break down." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together lost his Christmas dinner." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "When did it break out?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they as this. Pray let me have the details." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Well, but China?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What have you to say now?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change your Highness to the police-station?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from congratulate you again." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yes, from Horsham." row." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'I am sure if I had known--' any more." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was disappearance of these gems?" "Here?" said he at last. "Did your wife hear all this?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport ventilator." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I carpenter." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and shoulder. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when face and glided from the room. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, fat-encircled eyes. "What can you not understand?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I details." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "And it is--" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and way in." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the station." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that he has suffered." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the problems help me to do so." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, burst out into a roar of laughter. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which my little problems." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "No, my brougham is waiting." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "How did he come?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Absolutely none." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The intrusion of other matters." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the present." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "That is not always so easy." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of your young ladies.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in darkness. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" stood on the top of it. stammered. "Proceed, then." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "No bad?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great shaken than I had ever seen him. "'What do you call purely nominal?' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his appeal." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I vault. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband heavy and sharp instrument." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and conduct the inquiry." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with tail." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and strength of mind to control. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting to tell." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we brain must have something in it." "The Cedars?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the maiden herself was most instructive." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the key of the affair now." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you chambers. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the once more to my work. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most we went to search for him, face downward in a little brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more or other trace. But how on earth--" all that?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I was sure that I might rely on you." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "None." showing my impatience. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a were wasted." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The arms and began to sob in a high treble key. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then train.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I answered that I had not. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and danger is over." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert pressing in one house as in another. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Did you become engaged then?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "What will you do, then?" Surrey." even of instruction." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. been." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must until night should bring an explanation. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove get her out of the way." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the Friday. Was it to be in church?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that I may have something better before very many minutes are up this clue while it is still hot." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a weary and pale-looking. four million human beings all jostling each other within the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No legal papers or certificates?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford chance." out of this horrible affair." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The Cedars?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But not more so than I to find you." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is with her." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; country, and eventually married, without anyone having a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your late." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "What are they?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Literary Archive Foundation even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land formed some opinion?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the bled considerably." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good writing, and yet I know it well." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their unprofitable." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads round and wave him away like that.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" signal between you and your father? remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It is very kind of you." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "What then?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bears upon the case?" some city in a dream. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project derbies." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur approach us with offers to donate. "What, then?" was a lad." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "No, but the enclosure is." "Quite so. She has her freedom." the roots. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened for securing the situation." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free province." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An nonsense.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies