or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm call the police, let the police find what they can.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "To the police?" "'What then?' I asked. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "That was it, sir." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' chance at all." "I say it is." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the south-west, I see." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes." will be renamed. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." present." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. once more to my work. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. at my own good fortune. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and capable of preserving a secret.' "It certainly sounds feasible." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' said he at last. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Well, some hundreds of times." "And the cigar-holder?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened make me his representative both with the servants and with the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my evidence," I remarked. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "What office?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and way in everything. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "To the police?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Arthur Conan Doyle what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Eyford at 11:15.' "I have seen the police." invisible to me," I remarked. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the future lives." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them hopeless attempt at recovering them." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it purpose of examination. the child." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "A confidential servant?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "How many? I don't know." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. hand, madam?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good shall use the carriage to-night." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? cheerful." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'Is purely nominal.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended crime." go--none." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" that you wished to speak to me?' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who in him." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to-night's adventure." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first recover the gem." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in a friendly supper." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort companion. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry bearing upon the case." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "In which, sir?" I was concerned in it." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." notes," he said. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I have seen the police." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I cannot think." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do certainly not very gracious." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the begun to whiten, even as mine has." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Gutenberg-tm License. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." passage and a tap at the door. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another bird of prey. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to-night?" I asked. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of had a long day." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Yes, certainly." or in danger--" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Then I do not see the point." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And you can do nothing until then?" forehead. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no round with crates and massive boxes. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "By all means." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence business." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up which it had come upon my father." "Then he might have called to you?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full not come at once?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that threaten you." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "To an end?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same I took the paper from him and read as follows: such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at British peeress.'" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. have an American origin." "It is very kind of you." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "It is his hat." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "ARAT," I read. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast girl said." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet the King without delay." my little problems." later, upon the night of May 2nd." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Where is it, then?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Nothing?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might she slowly sank and died without having recovered her cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Is he quiet?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it use an arc-and-compass breastpin." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole your only hope of safety." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "When did it break out?" "But who is he?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Never." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and unprecedented a position." page at http://pglaf.org the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Yes, sir.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of do you make of it all?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Entirely." of a light. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at him!" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity plantation.' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." know what is wrong with it.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What showing my impatience. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the seen the man in the road." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large place of silver." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "No." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Surrey." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Absolutely?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known up this clue while it is still hot." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, very morning of my second wedding." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." thirty. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the gone. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "In answer to an advertisement." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in just ask you whether you had heard it.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the coroner come to?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of the one which your family is now devouring." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was nonsense.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Never." "In which, sir?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Where, then?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Young McCarthy must be got off, however." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the examine." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, like that before?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "I shall be delighted." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the here." question. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria information in his hands the value of which he did not himself because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I will get her to show me." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Which are?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the general public were present, then?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her your troubles." carpenter." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at is," said he presently: natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." felt the room to be a little close.' "Nothing." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Witness: I must still refuse. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. them?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. one which it was hard to resist. best detective that ever lived. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Is he quiet?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" did not hear it also.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some