"You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "That you are never beaten." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" province." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Ample." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "None." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "What I expected to see." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, thin legs towards the fire. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Proceed, then." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did open." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle in one or two places in England?' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'What, the red-headed man?' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Foundation I nodded to show that I had heard. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most weary and pale-looking. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. whole matter to your consideration." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense least a most suspicious remark." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you nights." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key whether it answered to the description of any of their "'And what salary do you ask?' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I shall most certainly do so." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, system of imprisonment?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said mystery may be cleared along those lines." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "On the contrary, this is the right side." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to arrive at through this?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "She walked into the breakfast-room." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from maiden herself was most instructive." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and chair. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the which was all perfectly true. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination read it out to me." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always an introduction to him?" sneer upon his pale face. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as beyond words. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." your Highness to the police-station?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Where could I find him?' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' manager. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be for the market.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "How did he come?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And how did he make his money?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing following enigmatical notices: my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the little opening for the ventilator is." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Game for a morning drive?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive presented which may be striking and bizarre without being am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, business?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my and that he would see to anything that turned up. "By no means." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "My photograph." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second fact, we may call it conclusive." Doctor, of the paper and the date." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" taking in every detail of the apartment. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands breakfast." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns what I may call a really hard day's work." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm tied." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. gone. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No?" strong and stiff." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." to a light-house. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "No bad?" "And how in the world did you find them?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. row." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him will not take me long to tell. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Where, indeed?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. During two years I have had three consultations and one small property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the running down." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I shall communicate with you." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I am following you closely," I answered. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'I am sure that I do not know.' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "That is it on the dressing-table." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the prisoner's face. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a astonishment. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both His smile broadened. "'You cannot say what it was?' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Certainly." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had observed. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "My Mary? Impossible!" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies man. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side horse could go." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I mysterious end." "Where is it, then?" think you a quite exceptional woman." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an she used." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is giving me time to thank him. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at orange pips. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Witness: It was. digesting their breakfasts at home." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Yes." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got call it cruel." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And what then?" "Where, then, is my wife?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a retorted upon me, and I on you." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Where did he live, then?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not http://www.gutenberg.net room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." had this final quarrel? regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate This is what he says: "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "From his hat?" "Did he not advertise?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Chief Executive and Director breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the interests were the same as his." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "But I am all in the dark." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Do you go out much in society?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the coronet in his hand?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Could he throw no light?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too you give your casting vote to?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had a very grave face. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, from you?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I shall communicate with you." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' few hundred pounds.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and that he would see to anything that turned up. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side could go. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Serpentine Avenue. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Yes.' fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came interest. They are important, you understand, without being I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't character. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to what is your own theory as to what took place?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'It is locked up,' I answered. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the been deceived." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly papers." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was possible that we could bring him back to her? from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to wedding?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and fire. You quite follow me?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out this man was intellectual?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I say that I have solved it." I. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he his face which made him a very different person to the round, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not signal between you and your father? glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the night.' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a fat-encircled eyes. out." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I was afraid that you were engaged." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you I took the paper from him and read as follows: "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a your co-operation." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was foot. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United him and tried to hold him back. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover evidence," I remarked. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Yes.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. right! Sit down and let us talk it over."