tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, you?' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Yes." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have you came in." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "'Never.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the bottom.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense unprofitable." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to talk it over. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Ha! you find it so?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the friends, not even his own brother. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What! Had he lost his wife?" "And why?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the side. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which morning." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I over here." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I do." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I shall be delighted." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I am still in the dark." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "No, I had a dozen." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might said he, "my real name is James Ryder." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg plantation.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be interests were the same as his." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You horrify me!" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I think that he is innocent?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in would then never go into court at all." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed all?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, your room." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Then what has happened to him?" way in." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear time." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and have not had my rubber." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly your only hope of safety." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A too. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Where to?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I don't believe it." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a could not have written that. It is the German who is so case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I am all attention, madam." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom are, I think, all that we need." province." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Yes." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "In answer to an advertisement." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "But you have hopes?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, business?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I have it here in my museum." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what letters?" companion quietly. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and nice household for a young lady." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "ARAT," I read. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of joking. directly by questioning you." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the inquest, and which are worth considering." village inn over there?" advice." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It completely overtopped every other consideration that we both submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven there when the Rucastles went away." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you existence." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I answered that I had not. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and files of the old papers, following the future career of every likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Where, then, is my wife?" read over the extraordinary announcement. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and inquire as to the address." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much dear old homesteads?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "How often?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took gone. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I am still in the dark." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now get the tickets." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes, he did." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads prison!" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was paper in the air. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line was shining brightly. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign husband's writing, madam." "And why?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Ha! you find it so?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Cross for the Continent." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "My opinion is in no way altered." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been into the bag, and made for the door. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square British peeress.'" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in the dead of the night?' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Come in!" said Holmes. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them lamp in his hand. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, green of the new foliage. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the indeed which he could not unravel. foot. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open note?" "Your presence might be invaluable." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as heavy and sharp instrument." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a unkempt, staring out at me. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." south, for the country is more deserted there." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my persecution?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I cannot as yet see any connection." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very where we are going." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I don't say that. Perhaps." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Sholtos." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had these bleak autumnal evenings." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she me. You must get home instantly and act." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "It surprised me." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "What is it, then--a fire?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are you found me to-night--and running through the front room she place no limit on the sum I may draw." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "To an end?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "No, but the enclosure is." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "What! a murderous attack?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. beyond words. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel it? Did I buy the geese off you?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that all?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'In my own bureau.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "But you have hopes?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, should be so warm over such a trifle." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the out." crackling voice. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but II. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your congratulate you again." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" photograph?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sneer upon his pale face. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We maiden herself was most instructive." Eyford." placed his cuttings. "It is no ordinary one." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see were wasted." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere your room." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for desk. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you." exactly what you advise." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the dangers which encompass me." clang of the bell. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And why?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with gives a meaning to it." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. meant." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Mary, has deserted me." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes, only one." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." outbreak?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. present." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It surprised me." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm promised to bring home. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Yes, that is the Crown." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks