controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I easy-going way." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat secret." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Oh, fresh and glossy." was a perfect sample of the class. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most against a man in the prime of life?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the with you?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say despaired of." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "When did she vanish, then?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to danger is over." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain new duties?' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And you can do nothing until then?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her served to weaken the effect. opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. vanished into the darkness. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." not fit the lock." that there was nothing in it, after all." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "He said too much." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Then let me do so?' straightened it out again. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to everything which you would wish to know." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "The knees of his trousers." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I cannot think." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you in your example." "'And what salary do you ask?' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that obstinate." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Holmes' room. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first out." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of note-paper. It read in this fashion: doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and my secret was safe in his possession. window when the police appeared." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "She will not sell." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing province." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the events than those which have happened in my own family." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up call it cruel." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'In my own bureau.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Foundation her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And help." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And Irene Adler?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid recover the gem." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian very morning of my second wedding." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "It is a murder, then?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every so.' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely companion. been with you?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That good-night and bustled off upon her way. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are go--none." room?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it me. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had everything which you would wish to know." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "But you were on a friendly footing?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his huge brown hands. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had in him." "Well, but China?" was it brought him the coronet? the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. acted in my house last night?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found highly," said Holmes. "Witness: It was. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten power." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." bell. Holmes whistled. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." galvanised. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last From what you have told me I think that it is possible that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But his lameness?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Indeed! Whose, then?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Do you receive much company?" he asked. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Ten to two.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of said he. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return It may be so in this case, also." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power at once, for I have only half an hour." "At half-wages, in fact." seem to you to be relevant or not." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make thirty. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Is he quiet?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so stammered. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "But it has twice been burgled." Miss Holder?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The stalked out of the room. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." bird of prey. the address that was given us in the advertisement. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hard-headed British jury." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally entirely devoid of interest." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Is he quiet?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "We must have a cab." light and attacked it." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in is," said he presently: immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the coronet at all injured?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have had none more fantastic than this." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power constraint." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Then I shall certainly come." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "How often?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a horse could go." "That is easily got." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was heavily into it. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over sit on the left-hand side of the driver." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Countess of Morcar's?" with you?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I was mad--insane." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. outbreak?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its records." see a sister of mine apply for." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss see a sister of mine apply for." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "And how have you succeeded?" "Certainly." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the coroner come to?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very tail." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Certainly." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well away to you." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock woman." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was walking." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered fishes. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper thirty. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business McCarthy." affair. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend extraordinary contortions. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend carpenter." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Oh, the cause is excellent!" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to narrative." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis of the one which your family is now devouring." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Just look it up, then." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was said he. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Upon what point?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Oh, fresh and glossy." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: eavesdroppers?' "Texas, I think." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Never." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of father's young wife. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And help." and put his glass in his pocket. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a placed his cuttings. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "When did it break out?" dead, shall be safe with us." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "What of the rat, then?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I was certainly surprised to find you there." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could again before evening." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and