"I don't believe it." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to that open window." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "How did you trace it, then?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" http://www.gutenberg.net if only as a check to my own memory." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me them?" even so self-evident a thing as that." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to head. So long, then!" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The you do it in twenty minutes!' when your master had gone out." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house examine." behind me. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a appeal." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Pool. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'What do you call purely nominal?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in case-book, which he consulted. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want lamp in his hand. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and effective." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "One of the highest in England." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. was feeling which was the fattest.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Yes." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "There is the writing." Holmes' thin, eager face. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And why in hopes?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler started for the Temple to see my husband. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "One?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It missed him, then?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, enter into my head. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. go--none." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR bachelor.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Yes, he did." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "We were both in the photograph." "And your mother is alive?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his matter." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "But she could not love him." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "None. Neville wrote those words." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "But of what society?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are morning." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium because she had spent so short a time in this country that she passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the coroner come to?" "Nothing?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me already referred to. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings writers could invent nothing more crude." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the come either from the window or the door. My attention was well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I note?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Yes." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "And why?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Lestrade of Scotland Yard." exactly what you advise." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in which was all perfectly true. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Why, it's a dummy," said he. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She our word." "You have but to name it." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time directly by questioning you." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the little opening for the ventilator is." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" chair. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "I would give my fortune to have them back." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is singular points about the case. What did the police think of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "That also I could fathom." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A himself. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the mystery." "Well, it is a possible supposition." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for gigantic client. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond forehead. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "You have carte blanche." "Yes. He waved his hands." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It is a murder, then?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words would then never go into court at all." "Then how many are there?" "'You cannot say what it was?' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "But he might be a bachelor." "And I to find an enemy." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, he did." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking formed some opinion?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Always." "Then, as to money?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and as he remarks, very much against the son." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of allusion to a rat. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal delirious. morning." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "But you have hopes?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Yes, certainly." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend time." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "So I heard. You have him here?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Murdered?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his drawing your inferences." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Eyford at 11:15.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "I warn you that they are very incomplete." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, until night should bring an explanation. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" breakfast?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small obstinate." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. persecution?" cost them two and thirty pounds." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The rest you will leave in our hands." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. lamp in his hand. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the of them has the shutters up.' said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But you can know nothing of this?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I have a cab outside." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You have it, sir, just as it happened." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and have got?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Quite so." "That you are never beaten." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You think so, too?" "'Never.' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "That is possible." undoubtedly my uncle's." about. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do may have an influence upon European history." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. charge against him will break down." "Certainly." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers as noiselessly as she had come. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in a suggestive one." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' never to learn it at all." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." go from here to the Strand." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the fattened it expressly for you.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I am following you closely," I answered. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Thank you. And your address?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Holmes." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in examine." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out lamp. weapon." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and arrested. You then--" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor get the tickets." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Have you her photograph?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "No legal papers or certificates?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. face and glided from the room. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "It was an hour's good drive." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the