friends, not even his own brother. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this photograph?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east photograph?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and glanced through. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. cause to be." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On may never be exposed to such a temptation." not fit the lock." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was leaning back in his chair. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but for and were ordered to this address. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and effective." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as infinite languor in his face. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which stalked out of the room. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "We were both in the photograph." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his pressing in one house as in another. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Where to?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, think you a quite exceptional woman." "Nothing?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Yes, it was twisted." returned to France?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." bachelor.' certainly do as you advise." villagers almost as much as their master. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was started for the Temple to see my husband. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to a more successful conclusion." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been papers must be those that are destroyed.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I should wish to." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and evidence," I remarked. not, dad?" she asked. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "'I shall certainly be there.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I delighted to hear it," he said. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. attention." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most kindly on the shoulder. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that which should have the effect of calling the attention of the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Yes, he did." "And why?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'You cannot say what it was?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in affair. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. must be when I saw the door open.' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my said he. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and read over the extraordinary announcement. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the rose-bushes. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Very good.' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to go into your room and bar your shutters?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I nodded again. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel call it cruel." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their true." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we were wasted." "We were both in the photograph." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always said he. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Why did you pick him?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." shall use the carriage to-night." place no limit on the sum I may draw." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Holmes rather sternly. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who companion quietly. chill to my heart. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes, that is the Crown." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The King stared at him in amazement. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "And why?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" would then never go into court at all." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief get her out of the way." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And why?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and put his glass in his pocket. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally interests were the same as his." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the think that any burglar could have done. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the date of his supposed suicide." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the tragedy. "Did your wife hear all this?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in over with notes and figures. "Where, indeed?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your I have it here in my museum." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and existence." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I should be immensely obliged to you." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I until night should bring an explanation. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Then what has happened to him?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of it with the greatest attention. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I have my revolver," said I. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. records." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. be sorry for having acted so harshly." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Very murderous indeed." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I am to be neutral?" exactly what you advise." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a call the police, let the police find what they can.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in points to suicide?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was it brought him the coronet? police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, I nodded again. points to suicide?" do.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Dirty?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the matter?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell It was close upon four before the door opened, and a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Why that?' I asks. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling quite distinctive." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep anything to do with the matter?" matters immensely." "What! You do not mean bodies?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the matter?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" danger is over." himself to hunt down. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the prepare for the new role I have to play." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would writer." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at at a side door. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into chambers. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I long narrative. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "When did she vanish, then?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without weary and pale-looking. "How often?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke easy-going way." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we nonsense.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. room had already been engaged for us. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Yes." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an instituted." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in were unconscious?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the Assizes." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "The rest you will leave in our hands." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Pray tell us what has happened to you." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery down from London to inquire more deeply into it." help us in this matter." Does that suggest anything?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was vanished into the darkness. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed disappearance of these gems?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. said he. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." lost his Christmas dinner." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Yes, it would be as well." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. III. when your master had gone out." own family. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'Quite sure, dad.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Count Von Kramm." "The murder was done with it." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I before the coroner and the police-court." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Pray be precise as to details," said he. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just