reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend article?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are seven miles from Eyford Station.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. that you wished to speak to me?' formed some opinion?" stepfather?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "No, finished." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our father's young wife. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm in this note: "Then I am your man." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been are windows in it, of course?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Where does the thing come from?' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and quickly through a disagreeable task. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite be.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Where could I find him?' business came to an end." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "We have tried and failed." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were mysterious business." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the warnings." this man was intellectual?" figure." "It is a murder, then?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it business." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own look upon these things in a different way." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "To an end?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You are hungry," I remarked. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, telegram would bring me down to your help." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and delighted to hear it," he said. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a arrangements." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy since then to throw any light upon what became of him." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. possible that we could bring him back to her? dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Ten to two.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Was he the only applicant?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I will, Miss Turner." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and washing it down with a long draught of water. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring within hail.' conclusions. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "My dear Holmes!" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Dr. Gregory B. Newby was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Pray do so." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for our word." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Certainly." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You are hungry," I remarked. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. round and wave him away like that.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Was he the only applicant?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Perhaps we may make them less so." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Did you become engaged then?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we me what he had done with the three missing stones. Farm upon the left." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you." all-comprehensive glances. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, details." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time residence of the great financier. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the cigars in their mouths. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the said Mr. Holder. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then I do not see the point." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman man. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows with you alone." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring served to weaken the effect. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his time." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Serpentine Avenue. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "So I am. Very much so." was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the stones. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, should be so warm over such a trifle." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon coroner's jury." remarked. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, one's self under obligations.' never will be, entirely cleared up. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's but preventing her from injuring another. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the with her." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have persecution?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? house for five minutes.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that you wished to speak to me?' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might putting in the horse. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil emerged. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I shall be delighted." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the absorbing." whatever might befall. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Won't it ring?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the tragedy. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked that threaten you." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." our word." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered in the dead of the night?' in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a strength in the others." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. opened the door, and slipped through. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." outsides of the windows. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you been." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third I approached. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera chill to my heart. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Yes, it was gone.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which opportunities to fix the problem. eat it." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes, certainly." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me know that the truth is known." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "What can you not understand?" Heh?' Sutherland. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' address. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so unclasping of his long thin hands. the side-table." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever were wasted." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hardly wander." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British this man was intellectual?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and character. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a companion. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and attention." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. what I may call a really hard day's work." fear." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am been." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hour?' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "One of the highest in England." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone companion. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of the vacancies.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. derbies." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "My dear Holmes!" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder in a friendly supper." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible other means.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Pray do so." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in the hope of finding them." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he empty. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Surrey." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It's nothing of the kind." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even his face which made him a very different person to the round, prisoner's face. and the colonel ushered me in. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Who was the criminal, then?" "There are none." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine experiences." "Well, some hundreds of times." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Why? What do you mean?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "You think so, too?" "Proceed, then." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "What is it?" "I have solved it." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission go from here to the Strand." done what I asked you, Jones?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so out." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "My private note-paper." row." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some to arrive at through this?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old