to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, night.' said he. "A greater distance to travel." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Ha! you find it so?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and formed some opinion?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right It may be so in this case, also." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and a shock of very red hair. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Well, some hundreds of times." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I have a cab outside." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a good for you to do.' approach us with offers to donate. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Oh, yes, easily." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a started for the Temple to see my husband. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards been." key turn in the lock." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth seven miles from Eyford Station.' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It missed him, then?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "That's no good." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in became a certainty. come either from the window or the door. My attention was fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. think you a quite exceptional woman." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "How did you trace it, then?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Oh, fresh and glossy." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some The police have openly confessed that they can at present make end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "And how in the world did you find them?" your sleep?' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into skylight. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." go--none." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I answered that I had not. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" not, dad?" she asked. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Pray tell us what has happened to you." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Perhaps we may make them less so." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, neither fascinating nor artistic." showing my impatience. "And who is her maid?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will and the whole place is in a blaze." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he died? truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I disappearance of these gems?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of conceal it?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Well." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through straightened it out again. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it appeal." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "But who is he?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Holmes. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' lamp. "No more words. Get out!" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the are, and they are waiting for us." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. gone before you can get him to hospital." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because strong reason behind." "Indeed! Whose, then?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in to tackle the facts." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "ARAT," I read. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout served to weaken the effect. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the loss of it. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "To an end?" "But we can't all be." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my over part of the map. "What do you read?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by bears upon the case?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his into the room. to surprise her." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "They are typewritten," I remarked. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Get out!" said he. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Stolen!' he cried. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It must be recovered." "Well?" hair?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Serpentine Avenue. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock fat-encircled eyes. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And help." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you within hail.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the shall not find me ungrateful." said he. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the salesman. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, generous with you in money matters.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such your sleep?' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Dr. Becher's." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy you, my dear young lady?' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend think, you have already met." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either carpenter." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been of this gang." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which but preventing her from injuring another. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Frequently." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every daring than any effort of the imagination." very morning of my second wedding." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his knees, staring into the fire. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I was sure that I might rely on you." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "In the cells." even of instruction." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Where is it, then?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I see no marks." golden eyeglasses. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the records." highroad, where all traces were lost. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to-night?' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. article?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a October 9, 1890. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "She told me to ask you." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the overpowering excitement and concern. than to us. I nodded to show that I had heard. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "And I say east," said my patient. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then I shall certainly come." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "That is possible." "She told me to ask you." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower washing it down with a long draught of water. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "It is very kind of you." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine more terrible than the truth. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. them, and came down just as you departed. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it searched, without anything being found which could incriminate borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was happened." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the ventilator." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "You forget that I know nothing about it." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Yes." meanly of me." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than asked. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed union?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with the outside air!" "I fear not." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, cause to be." the matter?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your my room." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, be sorry for having acted so harshly." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Chief Executive and Director reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Will you bet, then?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly little trying to do so much typewriting?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not your troubles." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It was a confession," I ejaculated. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "None." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and later, upon the night of May 2nd." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with