end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been matter." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Precisely so. But how--" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the for its centre. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, friend's singular character. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Very good.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "But you were on a friendly footing?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "What!" he roared. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And sit in the dark?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Then I am your man." "It missed him, then?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. me. You must get home instantly and act." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. as noiselessly as she had come. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. them, and came down just as you departed. "How did that help you?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "So I have heard." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary lamp in his hand. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Then you may be so with me." "So it appears." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness companion. four million human beings all jostling each other within the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in rooms." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to wedding?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' your bag." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for light and attacked it." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it with his own hands." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Did he not advertise?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been forebodings. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, bare slabs of marble. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my papers." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "But how will you look?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a 1.F. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Of what?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered province." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: might have a private word with us. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at careless servant girl?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "And I." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over heavily into it. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way light and attacked it." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who business matters.' our word." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I am sure." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible useful material for showing traces. The double line a little vanished into the darkness. reach." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should dear old homesteads?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and such person." "It is possible." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. my secret was safe in his possession. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no him to be an active member of the medical profession." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the him. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the bachelor.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but London for the present?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Yes." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, yes, easily." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at man. I know him from the photograph." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Bought." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "How did he come?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Why? What do you mean?" "There is the writing." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." footfalls from the street. fire. You quite follow me?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they shag which I had seen upon the previous night. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Who was the criminal, then?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "None." "Breckinridge is his name." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, other lovers by making love himself." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you long narrative. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned returning from some small jollification and was making his way "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as enter Dr. Roylott's room." and capable of preserving a secret.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his instincts rose up against that laugh. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and have this put in the evening papers." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" asked. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her crime. "Dirty?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "My dear Holmes!" "I would give my fortune to have them back." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Then he might have called to you?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Indeed! Whose, then?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and good-night and bustled off upon her way. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the child." Henry Baker is a member." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in one or two places in England?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It helping a boy to put up the shutters. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "No." your troubles." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It is his hat." from you?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, will not take me long to tell. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "But how?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Ten to two.' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And you thought he was pulled back?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I should be immensely obliged to you." for and were ordered to this address. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence some terrible trap for her." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my place of silver." them?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess happened." noble correspondent could be. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and looked back. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured humiliation." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic without a word or a look. fashion which was peculiar to him. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "It is his hat." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to miss it." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the allusion to a rat. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" too. "Get out!" said he. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking weary and pale-looking. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon said I. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Was the window open?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It missed him, then?" third from London." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his would then never go into court at all." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But she will refuse." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Why did you beat the pavement?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to again on its way. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "How did he come?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "My photograph." sofa. This way, please!" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "No sign of it?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Do you know him?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, face and glided from the room. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a overpowering excitement and concern. fluttered off among the others. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "And what then?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "How did that help you?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project then?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had have been better. It is all right." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I cannot as yet see any connection." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Witness: Nothing definite. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the running down." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'And the work?' Doctor, of the paper and the date." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I have my revolver," said I. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, mystery." "Oh, fresh and glossy." DAMAGE. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "But his left-handedness." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the so-precious time, but come!' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical