waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "My dear Holmes!" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point not fit the lock." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Henry Baker is a member." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Really! You surprise me." Does that suggest anything?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was lumber-room." Henry Baker is a member." dear old homesteads?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the returning from some small jollification and was making his way although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "At what time?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take bird I ate is country bred." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Why did you pick him?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Quite sure, dad.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon will he say when he returns?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been visitors." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Quite so. She has her freedom." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "You have a clue?" fat-encircled eyes. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "What steps will you take?" I asked. stood on the top of it. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'Very good.' tear off another piece?' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll This is what he says: deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. one's self under obligations.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I cannot imagine." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and States. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. come either from the window or the door. My attention was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and no precautions can guard against." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'And the work?' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "What is it, then--a fire?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will here and I will read it to you: not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "No, but the enclosure is." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his results." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said recall any case within my experience which looked at the first once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a criminal. We have already had experience of such." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the fire. You quite follow me?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I with you alone." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "And you can do nothing until then?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over on in his house." "And what then?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "None." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fasten all the windows?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until to-morrow." "What I expected to see." "'Yes, sir.' awaited us upon the table. posted to-day." "What will you do, then?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "To the police?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a dates and names. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work front of me. his wife has ceased to love him." chair. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser shoulder. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would matter." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, these bleak autumnal evenings." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "It surprised me." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and shall probably return to London by the evening train." seen the man in the road." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom affair. not, dad?" she asked. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Henry Baker is a member." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A already referred to. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I will try. What is it?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you amused." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up pressing in one house as in another. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "How about poison?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Yes, sir." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I to a light-house. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Come in!" said he. "I would pay ten." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and experiences." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "At half-wages, in fact." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Yes, they were peculiar boots." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in his hands." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never answered with a sidelong glance. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I think that it is very probable." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my obstinate." interested in these little problems, and since you are good upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "But what is it you wish?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable has little to do with my story." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Perhaps we may make them less so." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I awkward doing business with an alias." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded was not a bird to be seen there. affection." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon outsides of the windows. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yesterday." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which or other trace. But how on earth--" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to-morrow." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped row." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would could not have written that. It is the German who is so status with the IRS. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the o'clock is it?" the Red-headed League." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" she to prove their authenticity?" hair?' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp remarked. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting business in the City. She little knew what. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in bare slabs of marble. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Where, then?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It looks newer than the other things?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You have carte blanche." breakfast?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull child?' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You forget that I know nothing about it." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hereditary King of Bohemia." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Pray continue your narrative." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an could go. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is four-and-twenty." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Stoke Moran." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "How many? I don't know." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "A client, then?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then His name is Francis Prosper." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "It is possible." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped