whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who outside. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What steps will you take?" I asked. "At what time?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Then how many are there?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms own family. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Holmes." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He any." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I in a very precise fashion." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the companion. observed. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of charge against him will break down." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Yes." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with and capable of preserving a secret.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed possible that we could bring him back to her? all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may putting in the horse. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. emerged. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. there was no need for father to know." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very time." "Then how many are there?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a conceal it?" main points of my analysis." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into guilty parties." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, disappearance of the bride.'" you give your casting vote to?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That also I could fathom." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian weigh very heavily upon my conscience." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'You doubt its value?' he asked. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." I think that I could be of assistance to you." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. your room." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "He is still with you, I presume?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Will you bet, then?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken everything which you would wish to know." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Yes, they were peculiar boots." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran once more to my work. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Then what has happened to him?" stalked out of the room. that you can jump it.' dates and names. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and the whole place is in a blaze." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." have accepted such a situation. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom hand, madam?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Where, then?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "To an English lawyer named Norton." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for one's self under obligations.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Can I be of assistance?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I should be immensely obliged to you." know what is wrong with it.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Eyford at 11:15.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished The King stared at him in amazement. over here." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to that open window." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Yes, sir.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every stalked out of the room. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes, but only for you and me." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" lumber-room." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to beg that you will break it off." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Witness: I must still refuse. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a might help us?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "But you have hopes?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you criminal. We have already had experience of such." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "And I to find an enemy." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the inquest, and which are worth considering." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Imitated." habit of advancing money.' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before few hundred pounds.' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "What!" he roared. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "On your arm?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Serpentine Avenue. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, round with crates and massive boxes. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He that there was nothing in it, after all." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end he bowed and left the room without another word. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his reach." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Quite so." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact business in the City. She little knew what. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rooms." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "But it has twice been burgled." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of quite distinctive." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'What are you doing there?' he asked. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Yes, at the mines." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless into her hand at the door and which lured her within their lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "You have carte blanche." "I should like to see him very much." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I see no marks." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "We must have a cab." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything respectable self." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "We must have a cab." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a thin legs towards the fire. which our visitor detailed to us. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not later, upon the night of May 2nd." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted during the last few years, and there are many noble families to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I both be extremely obliged.' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how was keenly on my guard against him. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "He is dead," cried several voices. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "An enemy?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You have but to name it." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the writer." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A him. "It looks newer than the other things?" secret." delighted to hear it," he said. never will be, entirely cleared up. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Then I am your man." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the most interesting one." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Thank you. Pray proceed." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'I shall certainly be there.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated made him keep the appointment." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Countess of Morcar's?" Holmes." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." The King stared at him in amazement. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "This photograph!" the night.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Well, it is a possible supposition." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of less than 26s. 4d. not personally threatened." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'Is 4 pounds a week.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which back alive. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon have an American origin." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to have that photograph." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. o'clock is it?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "And for present expenses?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My past. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the general public were present, then?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own have an American origin." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Certainly." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Yes." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily fattened it expressly for you.' breakfast." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He never came back." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes at my remark. "But what is it you wish?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here me have 200 pounds?' it." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a