"DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. one which it was hard to resist. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, what I may call a really hard day's work." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my closely." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his During two years I have had three consultations and one small Literary Archive Foundation better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, you." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Awake, Watson?" he asked. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some said I. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate death." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." wedding?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have written. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And leave your case unfinished?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Nothing." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought colonel looking down at me. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to-night?" I asked. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great entirely lost his self-respect." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see happened." stammered. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a be. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "But you have hopes?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Certainly not.' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. bird of prey. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any observed. "I should like to see him very much." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that depend upon my doing so.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, quickly through a disagreeable task. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which opened the door, and slipped through. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to some other building. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another begin with, and I had not got mine yet." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And now?" I asked. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Again Holmes raved in the air. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "So I am. Very much so." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the bed, and you in that chair." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Yes." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the gone. should be taken.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and the colonel ushered me in. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "What shall I do?" felt the room to be a little close.' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the coronet in his hands?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of know all about it," he snarled. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons evidence," I remarked. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by your Highness to the police-station?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That is not always so easy." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered she used." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Edgeware Road. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about crackling voice. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side once more to my work. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over window when the police appeared." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one suggested at once that there must be a communication between the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss south, for the country is more deserted there." as he folded up the epistle. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Chief Executive and Director case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. in the hope of finding them." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., his eyes and forehead. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his straightened it out again. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are she to prove their authenticity?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the which we had just quitted. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a corner of the building. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I am in hopes that she does." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You think so, too?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for nights." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, but only for you and me." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for was feeling which was the fattest.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of better grown goose." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Nothing?" my secret was safe in his possession. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his occupations.' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Yes." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Nothing?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Pray do so." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so which we had just quitted. "'Is purely nominal.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, this man was intellectual?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It is half-past ten now." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I shall be delighted." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Why did you pick him?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of whole matter to your consideration." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock presented more singular features than that which was associated "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Then the page we have seen--" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no lamp in his hand. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us trifles." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' are windows in it, of course?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of out." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in astonishment. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The bonnet, and went out." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this ready to-morrow?' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You'll never persuade me to believe that." hardly wander." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little trifles." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I ventilator." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. she might be summoned. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "To an English lawyer named Norton." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she golden eyeglasses. "Certainly." you." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Where, indeed?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to appointment with me for six o'clock?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You saw the ventilator, too?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were chance at all." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are suddenly upon us." "He is still with you, I presume?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "About a month then." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "But of what society?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "That is unusual in a young girl." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out made his money." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "But not more so than I to find you." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after is now desirous of getting those letters back." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and shall probably return to London by the evening train." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the coronet in his hands?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. rat could hardly pass through." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The opened a pocket-book and took out a note. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a said I. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I will do it." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sound at heart." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was think that he is innocent?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. if I call to-morrow?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The which was all perfectly true. himself in a perplexing position. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, was used.' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as then?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And who is her maid?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this awkward doing business with an alias." once more for Briony Lodge. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "If so, much may have happened between." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ.