that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as round with crates and massive boxes. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We my room." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "If I can be of use." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered six. Come in!" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Will you bet, then?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to talk it over. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon habit of advancing money.' "But the mystery?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for DISSOLVED. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." and laid it on the table. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Never." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" go from here to the Strand." open." fait accompli?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to experiences." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm weapon." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'I have already given you my word.' "Witness: I must still refuse. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch main points of my analysis." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to-night's adventure." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that off." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I will try. What is it?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging anything to do with the matter?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Not him." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Yesterday." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel power." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" bachelor.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Could he throw no light?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence corner of the building. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of His smile broadened. have been better. It is all right." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Then let me do so?' business in the City. She little knew what. main points of my analysis." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. morning." outsides of the windows. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down in a very precise fashion." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Then you may entirely rely on me." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You nothing of it?" place of silver." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wanted for ourselves." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "The gentleman I describe." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while a monotonous occupation." vanished into the darkness. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I infinite languor in his face. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting paper in the air. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you meanly of me." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She third from London." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught ways including including checks, online payments and credit card case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "No, thank goodness, she did not." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And help." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest too. to you." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; meant it for the best. believe that I should never have any practice at all. straighten it?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a she might be summoned. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil events than those which have happened in my own family." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "No good news?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable head. So long, then!" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have within hail.' pressing in one house as in another. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then happened." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I was sure that I might rely on you." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. you came in." "One?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know in a friendly supper." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The rest you will leave in our hands." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Yes, I have one waiting." read it out to me." business matters.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door at my own good fortune. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where again." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones mysterious end." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his new duties?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about intimate personal affairs in this public manner." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. answer." be there in time for your coming." "Yes?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This past. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that I can to serve you." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Perhaps I have." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Have you it here?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "What shall I do?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "The Coroner: What do you mean? to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." unclasping of his long thin hands. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a suspect him." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "But she could not love him." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of thirty. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "And for present expenses?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it you." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my open." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." if I call to-morrow?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case chair. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. other, as fresh and trim as possible. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I cannot tell." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to your room." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Was he the only applicant?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until cigar and let me expound." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the empty. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and capable of preserving a secret.' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection following enigmatical notices: "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from was feeling which was the fattest.' "I have hopes." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "We must have a cab." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm ran thus: a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey served to weaken the effect. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "VIOLET HUNTER." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my crime." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Will you bet, then?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were companion. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and yourselves in at night?" made him keep the appointment." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, yes, easily." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "That is possible." locked. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to system of imprisonment?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too grasp, he hurried from the room. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Nothing." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I leave." signal between you and your father? to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "But what harm can there be in that?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "She will not sell." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the best of training." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hour." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. promised to bring home. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I nodded again. presented more singular features than that which was associated "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Not particularly." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'And the work?' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You have a clue?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I morning." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Holmes." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the station." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could frequently gained my first real insight into the character of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had what these perils are?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "In answer to an advertisement." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed front of me. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived.