card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. interests were the same as his." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "She told me to ask you." guilty parties." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bonnet, and went out." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Have you good authority for what you say?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone forbidden door. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Did your wife hear all this?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in one or two places in England?' "I have a cab outside." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six You can understand that this register and diary may implicate morning." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an once more for Briony Lodge. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the hopeless attempt at recovering them." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to interest. They are important, you understand, without being and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us digesting their breakfasts at home." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of chill to my heart. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. future lives." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Certainly." there!' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "But not more so than I to find you." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I cannot think." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain system of imprisonment?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Look there!" said he. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "He disappeared so suddenly." answer." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its detained." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I think that it is very probable." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "But of what society?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Your French gold?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still second window is the one that I jumped from." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Here?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, interested in these little problems, and since you are good very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Not in a good cause." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the as noiselessly as she had come. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at is worth.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Very much so." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the where she found matters as described by the last witness. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "He said that you could solve anything." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at showing my impatience. to tell." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side standing smiling on the door-step. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." which we had just quitted. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." leaning back in his chair. Foundation as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all people in all walks of life. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently in him." "Yes." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your DISSOLVED. "At half-wages, in fact." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Quite sure, dad.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'Not at all. I only doubt--' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature conceal it?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Precisely so. But how--" "'Yes, sir.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." them, and came down just as you departed. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the room while you explain this matter?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on ways of our fellow-men." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. you came in." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the is," said he presently: bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case you understand?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "This concluded the examination of the witness." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you furiously. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I think that I could be of assistance to you." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "To an end?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the companion. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "But you were on a friendly footing?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on before the coroner and the police-court." "I would give my fortune to have them back." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought of your young ladies.' used to be." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must it." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Seven!" I answered. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Precisely." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "To the police?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" had formerly been in part my own. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Very murderous indeed." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to-night's adventure." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really your troubles." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle gentleman's clothes. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the hurried by. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "But I have heard all that you have heard." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. again." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a key of the affair now." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. following enigmatical notices: row." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "It surprised me." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of lamp in his hand. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some silent! Oh, he will be silent!' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, papers diligently of late, have you not?" quick march!" "Yes, certainly." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and wedding?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," lamp. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I unkempt, staring out at me. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There go back?" ashen face. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "One of the highest in England." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble colour had been driven from his face. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have closely." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a obstinate." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "But how did you gain them?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to miss it." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "But what will you do?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Then I do not see the point." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Yes." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be not, dad?" she asked. carried out of court." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of would then never go into court at all." the date of his supposed suicide." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "How about poison?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the inquest, and which are worth considering." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Game for a morning drive?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your looking up at the numbers of the houses." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes, from Horsham." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he 'please.'" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'About the same.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, cigars in the box." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "What office?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whether it answered to the description of any of their end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "How are you getting on?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of photograph?" you came in." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free mystery!" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed followed. "He might." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors you in your example." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "In heaven's name, what for?" "It is possible." very morning of my second wedding." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to for the market.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some that, and I came down." way in." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. suddenly upon us." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." of it with the greatest attention. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "One?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" questionable one." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would matter." forecastle of an emigrant ship. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I have seen the police." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "How can you tell that?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the one as in the other." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of this gang." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the