question. and your relations to her." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to you." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I am armed." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it yet." bled considerably." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Yes." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of ago." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the running down." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the driver. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And Irene Adler?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "The landlord of the Alpha." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback vault. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a key of the affair now." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the this Miss Turner." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, followed. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" round with crates and massive boxes. 1.E.9. already referred to. "That also I could fathom." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And that is--" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ready to-morrow?' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was used.' key of the affair now." minor matters until to-morrow." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small for securing the situation." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the very morning of my second wedding." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But breakfast?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I was sure that I might rely on you." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the memory. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Dr. Becher's." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she character. derbies." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without chance." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other you in your example." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin which our visitor detailed to us. guilty parties." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in what is your own theory as to what took place?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. placed his cuttings. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to way in everything. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and looked back. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "There is the writing." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. is worth.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. locked." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "And what did you see?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." you." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend one's self under obligations.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Nothing?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Entirely.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his observed. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Where is it, then?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Sutherland. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a putting in the horse. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Where, then?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Won't it ring?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "What!" he roared. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was careless servant girl?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a ashen face. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at pound a week." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "He might." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a papers." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "But what is it you wish?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I am sure." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Sholtos." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And now?" I asked. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a presume?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I village inn over there?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Dr. Gregory B. Newby other means.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a said he. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." everything which you would wish to know." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, but China?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, goes." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son before, for it was considerably after midnight. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Pray let us have it, for all that." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the as he folded up the epistle. "Well." outbreak?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it foot. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "And from a noble client?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you guilty one." green of the new foliage. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such thirty. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to me. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I should wish to." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the way in everything. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as meant it for the best. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "What I expected to see." "And you can do nothing until then?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to have that photograph." golden eyeglasses. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had other lovers by making love himself." row." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But how?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'I have heard so.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Dirty?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you prison!" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, charged with?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique bedroom door." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he house for five minutes.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the straightened it out again. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Perhaps we may make them less so." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, main points of my analysis." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has fire. You quite follow me?" the child." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was lame." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It is his hat." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are galvanised. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a touch that coronet?' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties correct than the official force." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire The police have openly confessed that they can at present make article?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "An enemy?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Married! When?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous him and tried to hold him back. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!"