and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I do.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "My private note-paper." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was photograph a cabinet?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Has he come with you to-night?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King upon the sideboard." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled I. the warnings." thirty. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Where is it, then?" sake, don't!" hereditary King of Bohemia." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their in your London, you will know that the office of the company is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "What are they?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to direction." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the nursery. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very second." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation gives a meaning to it." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our open." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "On your arm?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without been." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their throat." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "My private note-paper." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "But what will you do?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me who was a member of your goose club." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "By all means." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner better in every way that they should make their position a little "Nothing?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "No, thank goodness, she did not." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Oh, fresh and glossy." cigars in the box." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy were wasted." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, footfalls from the street. the little opening for the ventilator is." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City anything to do with the matter?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case once more to my work. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "That was it, sir." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Then the page we have seen--" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong rooms." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to tackle the facts." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "You saw the ventilator, too?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To matter." matters immensely." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "The decline of his fortunes, then?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, get her out of the way." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to tell." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at some mystery and the punishment of some crime." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long not come at once?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from interest. They are important, you understand, without being awkward doing business with an alias." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "What will you do, then?" "'Ample.' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to arrive at through this?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both back alive. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Only as much as we can deduce." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other vault. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that front of me. it right.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must in a friendly supper." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." him. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I shall continue with my miserable story. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been when your master had gone out." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Imitated." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Murdered?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of his grey eyes. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, quickly through a disagreeable task. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'Certainly not. But why?' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock searched, without anything being found which could incriminate you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "But his lameness?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into deduce something from that?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that dramatic, in fact." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "The vanishing of the lady." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this that there was nothing in it, after all." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in a friendly supper." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "One?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "At the wedding breakfast." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some in him." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Tired-looking or fresh?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had joking. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say a room. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "That is easily got." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his wife has ceased to love him." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'A dozen yards or so.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event rooms." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Oh, fresh and glossy." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed you for a few hours?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the your equipment. "That also I could fathom." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I say that I have solved it." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake friend's singular character. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and the whole place is in a blaze." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But he might be a bachelor." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in is worth.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of weapon." bearing upon the case." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the very peculiar words of the dying woman?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Never to return." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Cross for the Continent." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Cross for the Continent." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I think that I could be of assistance to you." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his address. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "But we can't all be." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes, the wine-cellar." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Never." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his tail." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "And Miss Sutherland?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name be.' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing tear off another piece?' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled girl said." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Pray continue your narrative." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to joking. man. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know go--none." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "My photograph." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to-night." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to these bleak autumnal evenings." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the brandy and water within his reach. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found hard-headed British jury." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be a room. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "But what harm can there be in that?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are or other trace. But how on earth--" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Deserted you?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sound at heart." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Entirely." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "That is easily got." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the night.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And help." Henry Baker is a member." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, but China?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another