accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon too. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the running down." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name had picked up in the wood. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "And Irene Adler?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles fishes. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is true that I have been generally successful." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for approach us with offers to donate. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little more terrible than the truth. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the companion. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have washing it down with a long draught of water. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure yourselves in at night?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "About a month then." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we outsides of the windows. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." annoyance, but no jest. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you despair." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I where we are going." excitement. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers arrangements." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "It missed him, then?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we himself to tell his story. "ARAT," I read. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She appeal." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of campaign. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if salesman. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to page at http://pglaf.org very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had think that any burglar could have done. lumber-room." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still purpose of examination. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "And why?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the father's young wife. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative his cane at the bell-pull. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford think that any burglar could have done. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. eavesdroppers?' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and shall probably return to London by the evening train." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I someone who had been in Australia." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that again, where I was soon asleep. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the coronet at all injured?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a back to my heart. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. questionable one." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "My opinion is in no way altered." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'I have heard so.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and it." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Why, what do you mean?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage until night should bring an explanation. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to-morrow." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this burst into a hearty fit of laughter. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence had formerly been in part my own. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." himself. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is rooms." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where room?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Never.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly woman who has had her own way to make in the world. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then, how do you know?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of room?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant some city in a dream. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End to that open window." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of him." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning compunction about shooting them down." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "By all means." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very said I. we went to search for him, face downward in a little doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down becomes even more simple." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "And Irene Adler?" drawing your inferences." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On indeed which he could not unravel. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to you." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. writer." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project beyond words. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William have accepted such a situation. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when my friend's incisive reasoning. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "None." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Where, then?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "To ruin me." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Yesterday." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Yes, sir.' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Get out!" said he. showing my impatience. his cane at the bell-pull. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have had none more fantastic than this." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." carriage. It was a chestnut." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the address that was given us in the advertisement. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "But not more so than I to find you." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Come in!" said Holmes. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards it." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, correct than the official force." "Precisely." one of them." floor. footfalls from the street. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, business in the City. She little knew what. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action points in connection with it which never have been, and probably entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded crowd. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," it. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, fire. You quite follow me?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Just look it up, then." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its on in his house." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I never have." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You have a clue?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of your young ladies.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have your most interesting statement." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Nothing." "I cannot imagine." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time papers must be those that are destroyed.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he correct than the official force." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he out of this horrible affair." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I third from London." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, matters immensely." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, said he at last. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court province." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Witness: It was. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "He said too much." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes, he did." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat