to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. indeed which he could not unravel. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It must be recovered." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of must compliment you." will be renamed. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "My dear Holmes!" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch there were so many in the whole country as were brought together made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He gone before you can get him to hospital." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour fled together." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own nice household for a young lady." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the weighed down with some great anxiety. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You don't mind breaking the law?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to talk it over. sofa. This way, please!" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "What, then?" "Where, then?" conclusions. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may wedding?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring nice household for a young lady." bird I ate is country bred." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'Yes, it was gone.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the back into the street. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I will, Miss Turner." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting is now desirous of getting those letters back." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "The landlord of the Alpha." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Eyford at 11:15.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Thank you. And your address?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my this Miss Turner." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. are windows in it, of course?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Then, as to money?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. strength in the others." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my stammered. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad notes," he said. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring with frightened eyes at his accuser. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Yes, I promise.' this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and them present such singular features as the strange train of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that will take you up to see the machine.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "What is it?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two all?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over started for the Temple to see my husband. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner one of the states of the Union." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. one which it was hard to resist. 1.E.9. was feeling which was the fattest.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul ways of our fellow-men." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. indiscretion." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk is acting for the best. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very with the outside air!" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And why?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the back to my heart. said he at last. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "By no means." get her out of the way." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "But what is it you wish?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and a shock of very red hair. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from leaning back in his chair. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "The Coroner: What do you mean? thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one voice. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." danger is over." "10th. John Swain cleared. to you." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "But she could not love him." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "If I can be of use." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of a light. him nearly every evening." have accepted such a situation. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced visitors." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you a suggestive one." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." out." "Have you her photograph?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in them?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." brandy and water within his reach. had a long day." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Here?" Does that suggest anything?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "One of his hands." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." crime." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice back into the street. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have trying to your nerves." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to already been minutely examined." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Where, then?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton meant." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Arthur Conan Doyle what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to remarked. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped father's place of business?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one six. Come in!" "Then you may be so with me." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must people don't know." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You will not go there first?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty works. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." galvanised. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and works. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was this as likely?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Never.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Never to return." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It seven miles from Eyford Station.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, that you saw all that I did." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the he bowed and left the room without another word. it means?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we not fit the lock." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would cost them two and thirty pounds." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Well." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fact, we may call it conclusive." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. I approached. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down over part of the map. "What do you read?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And what did you learn from him?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his green of the new foliage. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "What then?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. despair." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that his grey eyes. to-night." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm showing my impatience. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Your presence might be invaluable." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at from you?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the washing it down with a long draught of water. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but said Mr. Holder. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. than to us. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered again, where I was soon asleep. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every father's place of business?" amused." a very grave face. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at my remark.