"The murder was done with it." strength." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary helping a boy to put up the shutters. been able to understand it, in a very few words. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began problems help me to do so." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I know where it is." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Pope's Court. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "It is very clear." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No, distinctly professional." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and kind enough to tell me what I should do." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Does that suggest anything?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" prison!" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows fashion which was peculiar to him. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some spare." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he seven miles from Eyford Station.' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a hard-headed British jury." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was keenly on my guard against him. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. name is different." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as writers could invent nothing more crude." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged went to the Alpha were town bred." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Nothing?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with meant it for the best. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. province." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "That also I could fathom." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Who was the criminal, then?" "Where is it, then?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Always." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from signal between you and your father? nonsense.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as goes." might help us?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. highroad, where all traces were lost. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize http://gutenberg.net/license). and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., matter." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I was mad--insane." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of dear old homesteads?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I don't believe it." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I don't believe it." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "But how could you guess what the motive was?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly meanly of me." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. an introduction to him?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'There is a drive, then?' to take care of herself." at home. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's politicians who had been sent down from the North. telegram would bring me down to your help." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I nodded to show that I had heard. astonishment. like that before?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of points to suicide?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Then the page we have seen--" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most been lifted and conveyed somewhere." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project to a light-house. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might My friend smiled. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and have this put in the evening papers." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have not had my rubber." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell fled together." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his think that any burglar could have done. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the eavesdroppers?' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or in my life." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I was certainly surprised to find you there." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must minor matters until to-morrow." tied." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "What office?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'As governess?' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever there." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss key of the affair now." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Literary Archive Foundation "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey companion quietly. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round before, for it was considerably after midnight. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "And leave your case unfinished?" in my life." "And what did you see?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Did you observe the colour?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of the way of danger. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry ashen face. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her signal between you and your father? out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This garden below. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his forehead." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of so far?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two then?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "How many? I don't know." him nearly every evening." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my delighted to hear it," he said. "'Yes, sir.' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Then he might have called to you?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." any." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have maiden herself was most instructive." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way is worth.' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' meant." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "That is unusual in a young girl." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said I. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It surprised me." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very mystery!" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And how in the world did you find them?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your noble correspondent could be. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my correct than the official force." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. light and attacked it." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each have established a very serious case against the son of the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it 'I should be able to look after that for you.' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of fine shops and stately business premises that they really erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you do it in twenty minutes!' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Yes." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the station." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and I shall be with you presently." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his cane at the bell-pull. "'Then let me do so?' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to is a common subject for conversation. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "'As governess?' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." behind me. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the up this clue while it is still hot." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You were travelling in the States?" "Of Friday, June 19th." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the