one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for chill to my heart. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "It is solved." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, shaken than I had ever seen him. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual what is your own theory as to what took place?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the Assizes." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," It may be so in this case, also." "Never to return." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I don't say that. Perhaps." is," said he presently: "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." charged with?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or whole matter to your consideration." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Entirely." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. lost nothing by them." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that he has suffered." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Not particularly." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might new duties?' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones strong and stiff." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. purpose equally well?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the at a side door. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On know all about it," he snarled. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so along the entire front of the house, with three long windows upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back The events in question occurred in the early days of my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards people don't know." "We must have a cab." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" to talk it over. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the exactly what you advise." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Could he throw no light?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had which are rolled in Rotterdam." you." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the notes," he said. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "This concluded the examination of the witness." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "What then?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there is," said he presently: skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I think it very unlikely." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the trifles." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the loss of it. hurried by. did not hear it also.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and eavesdroppers?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "The Cedars?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It certainly sounds feasible." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. already been minutely examined." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dramatic, in fact." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently young Openshaw's." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they made him keep the appointment." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "What then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the cigars in the box." yourselves in at night?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with compunction about shooting them down." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Upon what point?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Nothing?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another me what he had done with the three missing stones. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements what these perils are?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "But what will you do?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Thank you. And your address?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged this man was intellectual?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Perhaps I have." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the furiously. "That also I could fathom." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty this Miss Turner." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he keep the flames under. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of a light. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "When did it break out?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his salesman. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we fasten all the windows?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at make me his representative both with the servants and with the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I distinguish the words: what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Was your sister dressed?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Will you go?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to-night." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, have been better. It is all right." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." hour." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "About a month then." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "In which, sir?" where we are going." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with do." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I cannot as yet see any connection." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "How did he come?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we bled considerably." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and that there was nothing in it, after all." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such His name is Francis Prosper." rat could hardly pass through." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Not in the least." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire chambers. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner tension within him. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few strong reason behind." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "My Mary? Impossible!" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the his huge brown hands. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I have a cab outside." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." to talk it over. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should already referred to. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I cannot imagine." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But in a very precise fashion." than was visible to me." call for it in person on Monday morning.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were writers could invent nothing more crude." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "The murder was done with it." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Nothing?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Perhaps I have." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and better grown goose." "So I have heard." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there character. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to bears upon the case?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Frequently." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I in his power. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I approached. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Perhaps we may make them less so." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his flock.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned yet." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if any little problem which you may submit to me." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "At what time?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate individual and becomes the badge of a society." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A bill, which interests me deeply." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sufficient punishment." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is said he. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "By train from Waterloo." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has village inn over there?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "So I heard. You have him here?" charged with?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. himself to tell his story. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head of a light.