sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of the way of danger. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a nice household for a young lady." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Quite so." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I so.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "How did you trace it, then?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the three fields round his house, and there he would take his and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down garden below. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "An accident, I presume?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "But how could you guess what the motive was?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the should be taken.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I will try. What is it?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wedding?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "At the wedding breakfast." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the me. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary colonel looking down at me. be.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Entirely.' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." from you?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "And help." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do possible that we could bring him back to her? I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his address. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "The murder was done with it." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the thirty. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not congratulate you again." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Is purely nominal.' "The Coroner: What do you mean? retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "She will not sell." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which row." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge mystery!" bachelor.' when you have done it." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Yes, sir.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that miles off. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to returned to France?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as stammered. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Then what has happened to him?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "She walked into the breakfast-room." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the tell him that I know him to be innocent." with the outside air!" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Always." his face which made him a very different person to the round, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." important." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "My own seal." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it here." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What, then, did Peterson do?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Sutherland. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Was your sister dressed?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Ten will be early enough." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Where did you address your letters, then?" father's young wife. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It may be so in this case, also." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my be best to do. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed jewels which you have stolen?' situation." "Nothing." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to into the bag, and made for the door. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, more terrible than the truth. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection strong and stiff." "Precisely." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of generous with you in money matters.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "And I say east," said my patient. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I don't say that. Perhaps." "None." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was shoulder; "he's all right." bears upon the case?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and all of them with the keenest interest. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of had picked up in the wood. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the driver. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it noting anything else of interest. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so page at http://pglaf.org "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "It is his hat." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was yards of it?' strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations opportunities to fix the problem. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I am following you closely," I answered. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: occurred." "Ha! you find it so?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do October 9, 1890. see me here to avoid scandal." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such there!' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the character. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There but preventing her from injuring another. highly," said Holmes. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about know that the truth is known." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'As governess?' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out at my own good fortune. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' direction." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. golden eyeglasses. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society knowledge of the world." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "None." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Her father is very rich?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'As governess?' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite hereditary King of Bohemia." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we because she had spent so short a time in this country that she even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I have my revolver," said I. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my London for the present?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "BALLARAT." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss has little to do with my story." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is more terrible than the truth. fatally injured? lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or children over to America with him, so that I found myself without keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in compunction about shooting them down." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria union?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a me. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we maiden herself was most instructive." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole more terrible than the truth. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. tied." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were bell. Holmes whistled. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he of it with the greatest attention. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the depend upon my doing so.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "That was it, sir." see me here to avoid scandal." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was woman." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the lost nothing by them." may never be exposed to such a temptation." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no strength in the others." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Of Friday, June 19th." "By no means." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "No." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his she might be summoned. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Does that suggest anything?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he way: part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose matters immensely." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all status with the IRS. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that, and I came down." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." carpenter." have an American origin." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. gone. she used." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out problems help me to do so." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ourselves in the office." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the coat-tails." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Then I shall certainly come." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know distance from the station, and there we found the young lady very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Won't it ring?" straighten it?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project disturbance in my wife." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into upon the sideboard." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "And now?" I asked. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of companion. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal brandy and water within his reach. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was