defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup thin legs towards the fire. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the chamber." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the in a very precise fashion." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. said he. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Can I be of assistance?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in my life." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and capable of preserving a secret.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Do you know him?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Where, then, is my wife?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and that threaten you." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many very morning of my second wedding." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Her father is very rich?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And why in hopes?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce looking up at the numbers of the houses." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I would pay ten." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in he died? meant." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I held the little printed slip to the light. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies guilty parties." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is very kind of you." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he disappearance of these gems?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I promise," said Holmes. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed important." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have got?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "And how have you succeeded?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" his huge brown hands. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "What do you mean?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "When did it break out?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "What?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Henry Baker is a member." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I say that I have solved it." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "May I see it?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Perhaps I have." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of himself to hunt down. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to dear old homesteads?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an had picked up in the wood. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work through." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Well." prepare for the new role I have to play." "No, finished." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Pray do so." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned take the flies, but not before." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, again on its way. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Lestrade of Scotland Yard." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes, from Horsham." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty call it cruel." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No. His orders were to stay in the house." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I have hopes." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in the port of London." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several that before taking the final step I should like to submit the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I may have an influence upon European history." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Is purely nominal.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning lectures into a series of tales." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the dangers which encompass me." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the undoubtedly my uncle's." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It's nothing of the kind." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Who was the criminal, then?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You will not go there first?" who was a member of your goose club." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was of them has the shutters up.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I horse could go." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Do you know him?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a what is your own theory as to what took place?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. there was no need for father to know." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "My own seal." which our visitor detailed to us. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but emerged. promised to bring home. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, a room. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Yes, it would be as well." but preventing her from injuring another. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Holmes. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' when you have done it." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was used.' "I have a cab outside." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I have it here in my museum." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There his huge brown hands. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and all of them with the keenest interest. to you." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the said he. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate any." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a tear off another piece?' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has with you alone." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the address that was given us in the advertisement. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "How often?" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Ample." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. bill, which interests me deeply." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Very murderous indeed." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be this unhappy family?" present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I cannot imagine." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very things are very often connected not with the larger but with the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, who was a member of your goose club." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Do you know him?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It is his hat." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the coronet at all injured?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they with the outside air!" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. answer." "And is that all?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and What do you deduce from it?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking must compliment you." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hopeless attempt at recovering them." call the police, let the police find what they can.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a nights." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' of the way of danger. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, have I gained?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the Red-headed League." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a skylight. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "And for present expenses?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' did not hear it also.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Indeed! Whose, then?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors are, I think, all that we need." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it his face which made him a very different person to the round, returning from some small jollification and was making his way rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Ah!" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were in him." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Has he come with you to-night?" have accepted such a situation. that I may have something better before very many minutes are fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire who was a member of your goose club." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. crowd. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly other, as fresh and trim as possible. villagers almost as much as their master. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very developed." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the salesman. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I was sure that I might rely on you." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I held the little printed slip to the light. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "No, thank goodness, she did not." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We