might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" entirely devoid of interest." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom at my own good fortune. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and villagers almost as much as their master. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It strange features which were associated with the two crimes which walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up for and were ordered to this address. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Cross for the Continent." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Is he quiet?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and security.' on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And I to find an enemy." "A greater distance to travel." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to have that photograph." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss thin legs towards the fire. "No, finished." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Eyford." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Did he not advertise?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to affect your life." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Frequently." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and redistribution. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate noting anything else of interest. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' breakfast?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Certainly not.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his it were putty." eat it." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Really! You surprise me." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sneer upon his pale face. hour?' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "And now?" I asked. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Doctor, of the paper and the date." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a late!' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. with some details as to your case." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the records." "I see many objections to any such theory." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "And that is--" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Miss Holder?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Ten will be early enough." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "That's no good." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Which dealer's?' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I cannot imagine." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Then I do not see the point." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of Fenchurch Street." foresight and the moral retrogression?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, if only as a check to my own memory." your co-operation." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and this unhappy family?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Can I be of assistance?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Entirely." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was But Holmes shook his head gravely. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for what is your own theory as to what took place?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. society." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "How do you know, then?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "He slept on the premises." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors once more. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the dangers which encompass me." bonnet, and went out." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed his face. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love him. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Nothing." to a more successful conclusion." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a have had none more fantastic than this." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Then you may entirely rely on me." "My stepfather's business papers." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "There is the writing." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable shall use the carriage to-night." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could front of the hall door has given its name to the place. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable depend upon my doing so.' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I past. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, mysterious end." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could recover the gem." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and six. Come in!" hour." "'Where to?' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that place of silver." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Lestrade of Scotland Yard." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Well, but China?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the coronet in his hands?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Very well, sir. And this stone?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the dead, shall be safe with us." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your lumber-room." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hour." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Then you may be so with me." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the hour." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love be there in time for your coming." corner of the building. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. directly by questioning you." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. take the flies, but not before." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "What! Had he lost his wife?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental paper in the air. six. Come in!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "At what time?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. gone. presume?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Has he come with you to-night?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "That sounds a little paradoxical." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the affair. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in looking up at the numbers of the houses." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "One of his hands." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My himself to tell his story. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Which are?" are, and they are waiting for us." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "And you don't know his address?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "You are hungry," I remarked. not, dad?" she asked. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has prepare for the new role I have to play." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'Certainly,' I answered. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be redistribution. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which constraint." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The King of Scandinavia." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "You are all wrong." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who ran thus: there." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And Irene Adler?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the key turn in the lock." words came to my lips. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to-night's adventure." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And any little problem which you may submit to me." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by all?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Proceed, then." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already money should be paid at once.' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he himself in a perplexing position. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe said I. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "No." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I his eyes and forehead. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in His name is Francis Prosper." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." his huge brown hands. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear know that the truth is known." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the as noiselessly as she had come. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to me. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There client, rising. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. been shamefully used." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have points to suicide?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Nothing?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "You did not overhear what they said?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Leadenhall Street--and--" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out criminal. We have already had experience of such." enough to aid us in our search." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the persecution?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high him nearly every evening." "In the cells." night.' said he. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek October 9, 1890. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Oh, fresh and glossy." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "In heaven's name, what for?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "No." straighten it?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It's nothing of the kind." the coroner come to?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "And I to find an enemy."