"That's no good." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a other means.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes." I have it here in my museum." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and capable of preserving a secret.' "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies deduce something from that?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Not yet." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do you want, then?' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "You have carte blanche." delirious. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the bottom.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' easy-going way." "I shall be delighted." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "I shall be delighted." do you make of it all?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "That you are never beaten." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Pope's Court. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I written. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. question," said Holmes, smiling. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' have been better. It is all right." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that strode off upon his way. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a future lives." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a all?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his within hail.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "My own seal." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be think, you have already met." which our visitor detailed to us. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I chance at all." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." than to us. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Was your sister dressed?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said fled together." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for more terrible than the truth. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the night.' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "I would give my fortune to have them back." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Dr. Becher's." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. this poor creature." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with some details as to your case." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a suggestive one." must compliment you." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Yes, sir." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "By train from Waterloo." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging cheerful." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Who by?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was interests were the same as his." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "In which, sir?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "No, distinctly professional." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence forebodings. "Come in!" said Holmes. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. lost nothing by them." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded tell me that you intended to go into harness." at home. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Dr. Becher's." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes, at the mines." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Not I." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look quickly through a disagreeable task. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." has little to do with my story." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tension within him. province." weapon." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an outsides of the windows. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his at home. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to posted to-day." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'What are you doing there?' he asked. third from London." "I was mad--insane." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out it." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their one else, I think." "I think it very unlikely." "And Miss Sutherland?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Countess of Morcar's?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself thirty. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of matter." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "BALLARAT." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was what I may call a really hard day's work." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am was lame." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "What?" "And Miss Sutherland?" "I think it very unlikely." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was guilty one." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' criminal. We have already had experience of such." have an American origin." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry not personally threatened." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are noble correspondent could be. Dr. Gregory B. Newby success. "Yes." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and no precautions can guard against." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go out." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing into the room. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." may have an influence upon European history." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "You think so, too?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an three of the beryls in it, was missing. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Who by?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of your young ladies.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "We were both in the photograph." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and business?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I III. been deceived." second." "'About the same.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "That is unusual in a young girl." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "And is that all?" retorted upon me, and I on you." "How can you tell that?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should astonishment. meant." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in has little to do with my story." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his next day. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "No?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything little adventures." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my is acting for the best. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled not come at once?" "No." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really following enigmatical notices: characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then your co-operation." "On the contrary, this is the right side." outside." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Whose house is it?" "No." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go too. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink keep the flames under. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little a monotonous occupation." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the window, rose as we entered. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook row." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "No bad?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "He said too much." dramatic, in fact." followed. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in would then never go into court at all." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that I am arrested." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I cannot think." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he tell him that I know him to be innocent." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal wedding?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I she might be summoned. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I shall be delighted." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. records." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his States. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the crime. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Perhaps I have." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that ventilator." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work fishes. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." pound a week." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come