all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the best of training." "But how?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I cannot think." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I was certainly surprised to find you there." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a in my life." "At what time?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Why did you beat the pavement?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "And why?" papers on the sundial.'" evidence," I remarked. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from despaired of." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' hands. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I shoulder; "he's all right." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a respectable self." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "It is half-past ten now." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and girl said." "'Oh, no.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the His name is Francis Prosper." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "None." "Pray do so." to talk it over. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Then, as to money?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then, as to money?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the general public were present, then?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "But I am all in the dark." the dangers which encompass me." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to had a long day." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation thirty. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer with her." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." about. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Indeed! Whose, then?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Sutherland. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be suddenly upon us." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A public press." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to nights." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Why, what do you mean?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had said I. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "You think that he is dead?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I never have." "I am still in the dark." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Dr. Becher's." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Yes." held up the lantern and gazed about him. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight nothing with him." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is ceremony." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank at my own good fortune. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "My opinion is in no way altered." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it might help us?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "But his lameness?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "None." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the populous neighbourhood." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though think that any burglar could have done. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between burst into a hearty fit of laughter. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the station." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, instincts rose up against that laugh. she to prove their authenticity?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. to miss it." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "There are none." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Then the page we have seen--" "'Yes.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "He slept on the premises." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? touch that coronet?' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "What! Had he lost his wife?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a bachelor.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece you in your example." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See or in danger--" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his points to suicide?" chamber." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united noble correspondent could be. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be for the market.' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, morning." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was both be extremely obliged.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat answer." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You don't mind breaking the law?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "My last client of the sort was a king." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I am to be neutral?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the date of his supposed suicide." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if companion imperturbably. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "My photograph." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were delighted to hear it," he said. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "At the wedding breakfast." 11:15.' forehead. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Mary, has deserted me." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Well?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' into the bag, and made for the door. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' cigars in their mouths. of." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called disturbance in my wife." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I am sure." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you in your example." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'And the work?' case-book, which he consulted. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my directly by questioning you." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Miss Holder?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a with some details as to your case." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen must compliment you." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Pray let us have it, for all that." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Eyford at 11:15.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question if only as a check to my own memory." bedroom door." I leave." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Yes, sir.' acted in my house last night?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on face and glided from the room. already been minutely examined." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Where, then?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged business at Coburg Square is serious." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he or other trace. But how on earth--" him." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Not in the least." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those to-night." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She nice household for a young lady." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Witness: Nothing definite. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" rose-bushes. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "How can you tell that?" "Yes." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at it means?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and may have an influence upon European history." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Very truly yours, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate lids now and glanced across at his visitor. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek intrusion of other matters." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," my former friend and companion. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the forehead. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his daring than any effort of the imagination." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to opened the door, and slipped through. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could taking in every detail of the apartment. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was The events in question occurred in the early days of my hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do chance." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father IS its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed introspective fashion. "Certainly." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "The knees of his trousers." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to paper in the air. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the away to you." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I have my revolver," said I. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were detained." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough burst out into a roar of laughter. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, call it cruel." "Game for a morning drive?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. not as remarkable as your advertisement." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Nothing." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Seven!" I answered. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that you?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he bowed and left the room without another word. and effective." burst out into a roar of laughter. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Most admirably.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I will try. What is it?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was