it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a will be renamed. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our four million human beings all jostling each other within the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." again, where I was soon asleep. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the have accepted such a situation. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria might help us?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And I say east," said my patient. "In what way?" asked Holmes. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of a light. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "My private note-paper." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting indiscretion." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It with some details as to your case." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their be. my former friend and companion. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled an introduction to him?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have my secret was safe in his possession. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them awaited us upon the table. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough possible that we could bring him back to her? stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and throat." "Certainly." "What can it mean?" I gasped. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "How did you trace it, then?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social such person." "Then how many are there?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped father's place of business?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. side. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and that he would see to anything that turned up. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Absolutely?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on undoubtedly my uncle's." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Was your sister dressed?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. case before our client came into the room." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate I. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope recover the gem." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double father's place of business?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found call you and give you the chance." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental never to learn it at all." once more to my work. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was been." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. eat it." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project reach." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which call for it in person on Monday morning.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of some city in a dream. "To the police?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the dangers which encompass me." in darkness. him." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "The murder was done with it." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel was once confined in the cab my mission was practically together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Why serious?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hardly wander." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other rose-bushes. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Just look it up, then." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "It is true that I have been generally successful." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Indeed! Whose, then?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he he bowed and left the room without another word. I am not easy in my mind about them." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See national property. I was determined that the law should have its foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining death." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, really the only notable feature about the thing." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "No?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, tapping his fingers upon the table. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was 11:15.' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow I was concerned in it." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "His face fell immediately. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have had none more fantastic than this." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. key of the affair now." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Well, some hundreds of times." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush to surprise her." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "A call for help, you thought?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the inner apartment." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'How far from the body?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "My stepfather's business papers." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the child." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you ourselves in the office." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when woven round him. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of key turn in the lock." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The Cedars?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, 11:15.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "What shall I do?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. mysterious end." anything to do with the matter?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Have you her photograph?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their said he. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and a shock of very red hair. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "No." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Deserted you?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to already referred to. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you to his chemical studies. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chill to my heart. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "By no means." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has know all about it," he snarled. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and capable of preserving a secret.' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in he died? and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been of the one which your family is now devouring." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch friend's singular character. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Proceed, then." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Whose house is it?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that lost nothing by them." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Pray do so." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." better in every way that they should make their position a little arms and began to sob in a high treble key. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "He said too much." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Pool. how narrow had been my escape. "I am armed." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Very. But will he see it?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy drawing your inferences." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The prepare for the new role I have to play." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a I am not easy in my mind about them." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "A client, then?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Lestrade of Scotland Yard." make me his representative both with the servants and with the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, girl said." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hereditary King of Bohemia." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or digesting their breakfasts at home." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "That also I could fathom." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "That also I could fathom." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he