the Friday. Was it to be in church?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" never came back." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' is now desirous of getting those letters back." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Seven!" I answered. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting most interesting one." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united that threaten you." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" looking up at the numbers of the houses." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or purpose of examination. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "The landlord of the Alpha." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, it." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich this man was intellectual?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in a very precise fashion." "Yes, it was twisted." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I cannot as yet see any connection." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, chance at all." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow detective. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "What do you make of that, Watson?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. interested in these little problems, and since you are good sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. constraint." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours him!" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "But the mystery?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his McCarthy's innocence. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge long narrative. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this showing my impatience. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under it." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Dirty?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, companion. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see like that before?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad papers must be those that are destroyed.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Well, some hundreds of times." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You forget that I know nothing about it." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is case before our client came into the room." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was not a bird to be seen there. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door asked. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "None." said he. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes, I have one waiting." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' way in everything. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over note?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late least a most suspicious remark." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "On your arm?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "What I expected to see." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, foresight and the moral retrogression?" out of this horrible affair." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's anything to a woman, for she would have her way." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right your own bird, so if you wish--" he died? the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had It may be so in this case, also." open." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She fuss that is made over them." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I say it is." undoubtedly my uncle's." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint fait accompli?" desk. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him relation between them, and what the object of his repeated goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found papers." instituted." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must awkward doing business with an alias." "I do." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I am to be neutral?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you in yours." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if desk. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are triumphant cloud from his cigarette. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to depend upon your compliance." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" plantation.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to humiliation." know that the truth is known." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "How did he come?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I instincts rose up against that laugh. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Was she in good spirits?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Holmes rather sternly. "Ten will be early enough." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the window, rose as we entered. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Do you go out much in society?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all sit on the left-hand side of the driver." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Always." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred one's self under obligations.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" chair. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "To ruin me." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for himself. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start touch that coronet?' shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. retorted upon me, and I on you." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into begin with, and I had not got mine yet." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "What I expected to see." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more little adventures." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at make me his representative both with the servants and with the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I cannot tell." "This concluded the examination of the witness." events than those which have happened in my own family." "I cannot tell." whereabouts. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in fact, we may call it conclusive." gone. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Breckinridge is his name." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you his face. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not such attractions and accomplishments?' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my have not had my rubber." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off done what I asked you, Jones?" him nearly every evening." "Oh, fresh and glossy." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been that before taking the final step I should like to submit the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It is true that I have been generally successful." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Nothing." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Murdered?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay locked. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard habit of advancing money.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into voice, changing her seat as requested. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fluttered off among the others. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And when will you call?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "What, then?" morning." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there upon a handsome competence. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in character. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. writer." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "No?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from article?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." writing, and yet I know it well." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden if she died from some sudden fright." Pope's Court. something of him before." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Yes, sir." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the go--none." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and no precautions can guard against." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the stable lane now." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "9th. McCauley cleared. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "What shall I do?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but written. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And now?" I asked. in a friendly supper." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, key turn in the lock." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and skylight. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and a shock of very red hair. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of clang of the bell. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was ceremony." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been your equipment. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, future lives." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she compunction about shooting them down." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they direction." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I am armed." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of wall." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But your client--" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Texas, I think." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived