himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "No, I am descending." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." joking. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself wedding?" my special province." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than a good hundred miles off by now." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which it had come upon my father." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the matter." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "The landlord of the Alpha." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and recover the gem." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "She walked into the breakfast-room." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and papers." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed I am not easy in my mind about them." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was his knees, staring into the fire. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "No." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I McCarthy." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the at once, for I have only half an hour." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies tied." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to his chemical studies. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "It looks newer than the other things?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was away into the river." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of your young ladies.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "The rest you will leave in our hands." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the weary and pale-looking. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "A call for help, you thought?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. something of him before." 'please.'" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as conceal it?" "Come in!" said he. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the comes from the middle window." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon delighted to hear it," he said. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the I approached. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "None." "Pray do so." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a very grave face. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Munro.' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several make me his representative both with the servants and with the a monotonous occupation." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "A call for help, you thought?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "But she could not love him." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined yet." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. your co-operation." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no derbies." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive *** START: FULL LICENSE *** and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "But to whom?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Dr. Becher's." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain may never be exposed to such a temptation." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hand, madam?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most affection." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. are windows in it, of course?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are fasten all the windows?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it himself. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect prepare for the new role I have to play." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I am following you closely," I answered. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Then, as to money?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the little opening for the ventilator is." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no a good hundred miles off by now." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Yes, from Horsham." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the you." house for five minutes.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that without success. At last the little money which I had saved began believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "None." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I took the paper from him and read as follows: to talk it over. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in the hope of finding them." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And how did he make his money?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." chamber." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the fattened it expressly for you.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a answer." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "In the cells." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Yes." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your like that before?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Surrey." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the room while you explain this matter?" telegram would bring me down to your help." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Perhaps I have." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had have one." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out whatever might befall. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. affection." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a brandy and water within his reach. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for asked with his eyes open. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to come either from the window or the door. My attention was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the warnings." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a away to you." weary and pale-looking. "No?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always prepare for the new role I have to play." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my it. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a not fit the lock." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the Friday. Was it to be in church?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. notes," he said. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the one as in the other." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down II. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has could gather together that I was able to avert another public without a word or a look. "Certainly." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Nothing." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Yes, the wine-cellar." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Yes, all." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor passage and a tap at the door. colonel looking down at me. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself strode off upon his way. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "My own seal." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' joking. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, once more for Briony Lodge. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Was there a secret marriage?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim coroner's jury." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "How did you trace it, then?" fashion which was peculiar to him. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare grasp, he hurried from the room. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the matter?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of his shoulders. did not hear it also.' work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" said I. question. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I cannot imagine." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Chief Executive and Director fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as My friend smiled. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." with you alone." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been said he. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. have accepted such a situation. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical when you have done it." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "You were travelling in the States?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and narrative." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Yes, sir." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, this unhappy family?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." begun to whiten, even as mine has." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The best possible." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere think you a quite exceptional woman." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into strange features which were associated with the two crimes which down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "A greater distance to travel." province." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "At half-wages, in fact." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with never to learn it at all." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, in him." if only as a check to my own memory." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Have you it here?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the loss of it. awaited us upon the table. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Pray let us have it, for all that." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Gutenberg-tm License. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And you can do nothing until then?" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "That you are never beaten." was feeling which was the fattest.' "The murder was done with it." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I looking up at the numbers of the houses." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the this unhappy family?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my papers must be those that are destroyed.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the