after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns unprofitable." for its centre. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and digesting their breakfasts at home." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon congenial hunt. when you have done it." forebodings. "Certainly." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "My opinion is in no way altered." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making possible that we could bring him back to her? "I don't believe it." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my any." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "And Miss Sutherland?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose my secret was safe in his possession. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of his eyes and forehead. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Perhaps we may make them less so." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he room?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the delirious. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I never have." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured way in." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe rat could hardly pass through." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes not come at once?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Holmes' room. "What!" he roared. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United the so-precious time, but come!' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with this as likely?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained not personally threatened." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "By all means." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not enter into my head. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Mrs. Toller serenely. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were said he, "my real name is James Ryder." village inn over there?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I was sure that I might rely on you." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be never came back." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was own family. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the Red-headed League." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you for a few hours?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the works. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch will find little credit to be gained out of this case." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Yes." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Then I do not see the point." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "'Quite sure, dad.' may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, back alive. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Why serious?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in morning." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of distinguish the words: dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any respectable self." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "My private note-paper." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Ample.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." and no precautions can guard against." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and glanced through. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Doctor, of the paper and the date." hurried away. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and business." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this handed it to him. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of through." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open unkempt, staring out at me. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that lumber-room." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Certainly." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Is he quiet?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Lee, in the county of Kent." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Come in!" said he. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the she might be summoned. "The best possible." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." key of the affair now." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "No?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no outbreak?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. address. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "How on earth--" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about minor matters until to-morrow." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon quite distinctive." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Then I can wait in the next room." "You think so, too?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I have solved it." attention." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "So I am. Very much so." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes, certainly." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and put his glass in his pocket. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll passage and a tap at the door. "I cannot say that I have." his eyes and forehead. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any because she had spent so short a time in this country that she My friend smiled. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I am to be neutral?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had in the port of London." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the one as in the other." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It may not come to that," said Holmes. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "When did it break out?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the strength of mind to control. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "No." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Yes." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is how narrow had been my escape. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend you." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will your co-operation." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Edgeware Road. "And you can do nothing until then?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a against a man in the prime of life?" the night.' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from emerged. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming woven round him. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length question you as to those details which seem to me to be most when your master had gone out." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the roots. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. back to my heart. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by is acting for the best. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. in my life." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I am still in the dark." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "But we can't all be." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to presented more singular features than that which was associated something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my must be when I saw the door open.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the so-precious time, but come!' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.'