abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of a light. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Yes, from Horsham." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Not social, then?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and that he would see to anything that turned up. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls of this gang." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "What office?" "I have come for advice." time." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's lumber-room." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round again, where I was soon asleep. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I am armed." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "One?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Street. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Nothing." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The King stared at him in amazement. "But how?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the it means?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and off." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she a suggestive one." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's now. It seems that there had been some informality about their a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is but preventing her from injuring another. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "The best possible." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips up this clue while it is still hot." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that beyond words. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, main points of my analysis." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of the vacancies.' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Holmes. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "An accident, I presume?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at that I am arrested." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was that there was nothing in it, after all." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new strode off upon his way. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Come in!" said he. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. system of imprisonment?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible never to learn it at all." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but passage and a tap at the door. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to some other building. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood certainly not very gracious." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white fishes. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that too. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to attention." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the morning." unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with window when the police appeared." detective. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that nights." "You were travelling in the States?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in the dead of the night?' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in once more. of it with the greatest attention. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled own family. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I have hopes." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "And Irene Adler?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I paper in the air. Does that suggest anything?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Is purely nominal.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." something of him before." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and weapon." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do once more. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I child?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Dr. Gregory B. Newby starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob not interfere, come what may. You understand?" might help us?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Street. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Did you observe the colour?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "My dear Holmes!" as the one I chose?' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the one as in the other." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "He disappeared so suddenly." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Eh? What was that?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then I shall certainly come." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the south-west, I see." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good time." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "If so, much may have happened between." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a other means.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the peculiar to him. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and no precautions can guard against." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up official police." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a entirely lost his self-respect." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of meant it for the best. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I am following you closely," I answered. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I have a cab outside." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I fear not." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I fear not." "Why? What do you mean?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you in your example." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate be. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check once more. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Again Holmes raved in the air. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery returning from some small jollification and was making his way right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of them has the shutters up.' any little problem which you may submit to me." desk. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "To the police?" room?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Quite so. She has her freedom." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the so-precious time, but come!' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of his cane at the bell-pull. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his peculiar to him. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, ran thus: "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the tragedy. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." into the bag, and made for the door. and I shall be with you presently." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "You are all wrong." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Yes." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Of what?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Nothing." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in has little to do with my story." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "A confidential servant?" footfalls from the street. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I see me here to avoid scandal." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "No." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to are, I think, all that we need." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, closely." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the were wasted." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I say that I have solved it." said he at last. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I shall be delighted." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my crime." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can vault. less than 26s. 4d. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile we went to search for him, face downward in a little incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of attention." Eyford at 11:15.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Eh? What was that?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of an introduction to him?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan."