bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of of receipt of the work. served to weaken the effect. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Upon what point?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'Then let me do so?' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could acquaintance?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are fuss that is made over them." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers way in." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "That is it on the dressing-table." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to been with you?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "You horrify me." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the station." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of was a lad." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the woman." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Entirely." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round out." and the whole place is in a blaze." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me outbreak?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Miss Holder?" waste of energy." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. lumber-room." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. when your master had gone out." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" prepare for the new role I have to play." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute point our research must commence, and we will begin it by more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature congenial hunt. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer do." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I cannot imagine." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "What! a murderous attack?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that there was nothing in it, after all." "But I have heard all that you have heard." have an American origin." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: present." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "So I heard. You have him here?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of occupations.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you 1.E.9. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you For additional contact information: little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." observed. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "But to whom?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his gone before you can get him to hospital." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the devil!" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I will not look." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Where, then, is my wife?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of this man was intellectual?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Breckinridge is his name." "At half-wages, in fact." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Mrs. Toller serenely. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect said I. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" and a shock of very red hair. been able to understand it, in a very few words. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and effective." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any one of them." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Very good.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "A client, then?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. pierced for earrings?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from strong reason behind." to me. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest points in connection with it which never have been, and probably freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some as this. Pray let me have the details." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "What are they?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the Assizes." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and handed it to him. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could promised to bring home. "Yes, from Horsham." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very used to be." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." interests were the same as his." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so are, I think, all that we need." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Whose house is it?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and have this put in the evening papers." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "How about poison?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on mystery!" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And did you observe any change in her then?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my is worth.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "How on earth--" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to have been novel and of interest." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop call it cruel." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Not in the least." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," your most interesting statement." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the general public were present, then?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah society." better in every way that they should make their position a little Surrey." "'Certainly,' I answered. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Yes, there are nearly always some there." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight me. You must get home instantly and act." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Certainly, madam." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "To the police?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over then?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." forebodings. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker tear off another piece?' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest purpose equally well?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt do." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the learned something! Where are the gems?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much cheerful." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I cannot tell." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a congenial hunt. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good compunction about shooting them down." "When did she vanish, then?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able thin legs towards the fire. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her it means?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney matter over." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "And how in the world did you find them?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian held up the lantern and gazed about him. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What shall I do?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "It is true that I have been generally successful." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, know what is wrong with it.' The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and call the police, let the police find what they can.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all get the tickets." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "My photograph." "Have you it here?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared notes," he said. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more noting anything else of interest. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to question. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of important." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. four million human beings all jostling each other within the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I not fit the lock." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Yes, it was twisted." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And what did you learn from him?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. himself to tell his story. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were kindly on the shoulder. the bottom.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'You cannot say what it was?' started for the Temple to see my husband. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "And how?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and capable of preserving a secret.' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Why that?' I asks. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You will not go there first?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Were they all fastened this morning?" envelope. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Perhaps we may make them less so." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace