"'It is locked up,' I answered. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of foresight and the moral retrogression?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "To an end?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens wall." "Tired-looking or fresh?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll roused himself from his reverie. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "But she could not love him." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his waste of energy." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to tell." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is heavily into it. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I never have." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Nothing." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less time." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the behind me. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And what did you see?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it chance at all." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction to his chemical studies. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Have you good authority for what you say?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, me. You must get home instantly and act." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the passage and a tap at the door. there." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "And how did you verify them?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the window, rose as we entered. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I was mad--insane." conduct the inquiry." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You are all wrong." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little joking. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of papers." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand some place of shelter and let the county police know what has note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I closing the door. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Why did you beat the pavement?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to spare." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so even of instruction." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, photograph?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought third from London." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Yes." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You your only hope of safety." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "No." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by cigars in their mouths. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. to-night?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "It was." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly fuss that is made over them." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "At half-wages, in fact." "Then the page we have seen--" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. keep the flames under. "How often?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life You want to know what became of those geese?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can disappearance of the bride.'" "Yes. He waved his hands." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever upon the sideboard." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Serpentine Avenue. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, crowd. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two brain must have something in it." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that infinite languor in his face. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Very truly yours, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "At what time?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My main points of my analysis." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The decline of his fortunes, then?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you strong and stiff." eat it." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended himself to tell his story. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick feature." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Where to?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding opportunities to fix the problem. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Certainly,' I answered. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Only as much as we can deduce." "I will not look." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "That is it on the dressing-table." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You have a clue?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, any." round and wave him away like that.' "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the ceiling. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "A confidential servant?" "Very. But will he see it?" "Very murderous indeed." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Is purely nominal.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "And I to find an enemy." call the police, let the police find what they can.' is acting for the best. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was have got?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It certainly sounds feasible." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "They are typewritten," I remarked. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The papers must be those that are destroyed.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "When did she vanish, then?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked more terrible than the truth. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you own family. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "How did you trace it, then?" coat-tails." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." breakfast?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'I shall certainly be there.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was McCarthy's innocence. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly strange features which were associated with the two crimes which bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "What can it mean?" I gasped. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes tapping his fingers upon the table. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I brandy and water within his reach. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the loss of it. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk nonsense.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing been shamefully used." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "No more words. Get out!" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me most interesting one." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, leave you to your papers for a little." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical is four-and-twenty." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "What of the rat, then?" the coronet at all injured?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of have accepted such a situation. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. way: obstinate." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his lumber-room." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "None." them, and came down just as you departed. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "How are you getting on?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" drove away. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "And why?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have careless servant girl?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. towards the blaze. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are be.' "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "What can it mean?" I gasped. than was visible to me." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with eat it." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Pope's Court, Fleet Street." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I would give my fortune to have them back." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "A client, then?" mysterious business." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "To an English lawyer named Norton." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "How long did she speak to this Alice?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and we went to search for him, face downward in a little If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the photograph?" "Certainly." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but once more on the important position which you have been fortunate without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Yes. He waved his hands." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me astonishment. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the signal between you and your father? evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And is that all?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "She walked into the breakfast-room." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No, I am descending." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Proceed, then." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she enter Dr. Roylott's room." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now,