hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Pray be precise as to details," said he. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so business in the City. She little knew what. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "My dear Holmes!" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as society." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "So it appears." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "None." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'What do you call purely nominal?' read over the extraordinary announcement. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "But you can know nothing of this?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not signal between you and your father? "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently wedding?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new be there in time for your coming." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I cannot imagine." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same observed. "'You cannot say what it was?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Two days later this same performance was gone through under over with notes and figures. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in was a perfect sample of the class. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. figure." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the room while you explain this matter?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him shall not find me ungrateful." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Could he throw no light?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul started for the Temple to see my husband. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his noble correspondent could be. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an giving me time to thank him. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." formed some opinion?" see a sister of mine apply for." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been man. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable useful material for showing traces. The double line a little that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the just called myself is not exactly my own." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from purpose of examination. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "She told me to ask you." "I cannot say that I have." "But you were on a friendly footing?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom seen the man in the road." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which eat it." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. if I call to-morrow?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "In San Francisco, a year ago." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few stalked out of the room. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. enter Dr. Roylott's room." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether your billet.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we appeal." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through bed dies. Does not that strike you?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know where Mr. Fordham shows you.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this a very grave face. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It is no ordinary one." you understand?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I cannot tell." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I him and tried to hold him back. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and effective." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he fasten all the windows?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Is he quiet?" roused himself from his reverie. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City future lives." "I will try. What is it?" envelope. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother me." than to us. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as brought there to personate someone, and the real person is is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the bed, and you in that chair." long narrative. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was himself to hunt down. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite humiliation." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go congenial hunt. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I am about to be married." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is shall use the carriage to-night." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and effective." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official clang of the bell. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of danger is over." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with to a light-house. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he interested in these little problems, and since you are good of note-paper. It read in this fashion: dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And what did you see?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Where to?' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone him nearly every evening." felt?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Awake, Watson?" he asked. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I shall be delighted." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "No, I am descending." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I am to be neutral?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to miss it." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and once more for Briony Lodge. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "What do you make of that, Watson?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And your father? Did you tell him?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it my former friend and companion. advice." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to flock.' Street. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of night.' said he. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Where, indeed?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get present." and a shock of very red hair. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything when your master had gone out." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't nonsense.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and the colonel ushered me in. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Not in the least." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." system of imprisonment?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'Quite sure, dad.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to bird I ate is country bred." reach." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Holmes. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'You cannot say what it was?' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I are, I think, all that we need." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I shall most certainly do so." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I have my revolver," said I. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two in. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her page at http://pglaf.org "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Entirely." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "By no means." "What are they?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would excitement. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Nothing?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'Ample.' "Ah!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the up this clue while it is still hot." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De seen the man in the road." in the dead of the night?' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You went to the Alpha were town bred." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Just look it up, then." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No. What a strange idea!" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "By no means." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Well, some hundreds of times." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a you?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a What do you deduce from it?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." new duties?' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how absolutely follow my advice in every respect." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no always that they were such commands as a lady might with light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you. And your address?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might salesman. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has here." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." is worth.' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sholtos." "But how did you gain them?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster