"Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the station." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Certainly not. But why?' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that and it need not interfere very much with one's other keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Nothing?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Did you become engaged then?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'What, the red-headed man?' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I nights." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if upon the white wrist. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his trifles." careless servant girl?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "His face fell immediately. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler You can understand that this register and diary may implicate continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to key turn in the lock." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I have my revolver," said I. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the bottom.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." dramatic, in fact." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Where to?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram the iron safe, which he closed upon it. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Is purely nominal.' "What!" he roared. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "That is it on the dressing-table." "'Yes, it was gone.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Your French gold?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the Red-headed League." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Street. soul! here is her carriage at the door." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for the market.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The depend upon your compliance." quite distinctive." the Assizes." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. was not a bird to be seen there. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "An accident, I presume?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You horrify me!" go--none." "But you were on a friendly footing?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a remarked. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the delighted to hear it," he said. "Do you know him?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in happened." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the a little more before I quite committed myself. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how people don't know." "'Most admirably.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the best of training." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a habit of advancing money.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Pool. certainly do as you advise." beyond words. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I minor matters until to-morrow." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the Red-headed League." tail." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which was all perfectly true. charge against him will break down." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Nothing?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And how did he make his money?" might help us?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "In which, sir?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Who was the criminal, then?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "About a month then." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, of campaign. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he me. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It is true that I have been generally successful." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that returning from some small jollification and was making his way with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. stammered. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little out." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and lamp. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes. He waved his hands." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out would apply.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous suddenly upon us." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Where is it, then?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem been deceived." one else, I think." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we open." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second taking in every detail of the apartment. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my country, and eventually married, without anyone having a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an bled considerably." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I will get her to show me." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "So it appears." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a records." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' trifles." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Thank you. And your address?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of Fenchurch Street." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his forebodings. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Yes." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he long narrative. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "What will you say?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "None." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From tension within him. morning." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in him." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing is four-and-twenty." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently or other trace. But how on earth--" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the so.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Dark enough and sinister enough." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after ventilator." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been kindly on the shoulder. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very II. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of highroad, where all traces were lost. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Yes. He waved his hands." results." "I cannot say that I have." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "And for present expenses?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Henry Baker is a member." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the than was visible to me." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. be.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock which our visitor detailed to us. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from papers diligently of late, have you not?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Doctor, of the paper and the date." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "What, then, did Peterson do?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with you give your casting vote to?" strength in the others." the general public were present, then?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to tell." "Why serious?" "On your arm?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Eyford at 11:15.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'It is locked up,' I answered. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of Mr. Rucastle's." for the market.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry your only hope of safety." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, be there in time for your coming." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hour?' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I shall be delighted." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now business." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "At the wedding breakfast." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to-night's adventure." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple you?' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does emerged. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave to talk it over. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I from you?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Dr. Becher's." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I should wish to." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates front of me. forebodings. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to arrive at through this?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in his huge brown hands. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Dark enough and sinister enough." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the