true." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but burst into a hearty fit of laughter. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and dear old homesteads?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a disappearance of these gems?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the should be so warm over such a trifle." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as some mystery and the punishment of some crime." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' License. You must require such a user to return or "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to a more successful conclusion." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the station." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope in. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Holmes' thin, eager face. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this colour had been driven from his face. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." been able to understand it, in a very few words. it." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Two days later this same performance was gone through under beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "What do you make of that, Watson?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. very old mansion. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke very old mansion. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I that I can to serve you." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I know all about it," he snarled. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a plantation.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she outsides of the windows. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between ill-usage at the hands of fortune. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the has little to do with my story." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no have not had my rubber." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell any little problem which you may submit to me." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His name is different." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, maiden herself was most instructive." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 1.F. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that threaten you." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To miles off. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to some other building. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive conversation I have gathered that they have been married about strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I have my revolver," said I. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called call the police, let the police find what they can.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated are, and they are waiting for us." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do as he remarks, very much against the son." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp away in different directions, and I went off to make my own memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hour." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I am not easy in my mind about them." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before useful material for showing traces. The double line a little into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the south-west, I see." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up undoubtedly my uncle's." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich present strange and interesting features that it is no easy power." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." occurred." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "How about poison?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been business." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. asked. walking." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should village inn over there?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, but only for you and me." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Ah!" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and a shock of very red hair. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is what do you think they found in the pockets?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the tied." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Then what has happened to him?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just nonsense.' "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And when will you call?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Yes." colonel looking down at me. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Most admirably.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a closing the door. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had easy-going way." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always had died away into the silence from which it rose. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Did your wife hear all this?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "And did you observe any change in her then?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "My stepfather's business papers." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful appeared upon the scene." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. used to be." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how anything to do with the matter?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might It may be so in this case, also." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' would then never go into court at all." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge to have been novel and of interest." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Never." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." system of imprisonment?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the stable lane now." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where three of the beryls in it, was missing. "There are none." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "So it appears." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "No, my brougham is waiting." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "She walked into the breakfast-room." companion. where she found matters as described by the last witness. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips room?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon subject to the trademark license, especially commercial or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the he bowed and left the room without another word. "I guessed as much." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was already answered. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "My last client of the sort was a king." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, knowledge of the world." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and all that?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "You have carte blanche." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could knowledge of the world." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and good for you to do.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself forebodings. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and indeed which he could not unravel. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the stammered. clang of the bell. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose you." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is bonnet, and went out." "I see no marks." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." his eyes and forehead. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Thank you. And your address?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Then, as to money?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" an introduction to him?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Sutherland. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I assure you that I am in your hands." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his coat-tails." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I will do it." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to business." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you individual and becomes the badge of a society." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "One?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her went to the Alpha were town bred." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Pray do so." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front murdered man." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "The decline of his fortunes, then?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism you do it in twenty minutes!' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight said Mr. Holder. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "No, I think that I'll take it." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but there!' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' think you a quite exceptional woman." "Who was the criminal, then?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Yes, I promise.' she used." rooms." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "And who is her maid?" meanly of me." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of persecution?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. key of the affair now." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he tapping his fingers upon the table. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Why did you beat the pavement?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes again." "And you thought he was pulled back?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this business in the City. She little knew what. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Lee, in the county of Kent." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them.