gentleman's clothes. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she think that any burglar could have done. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Witness: It was. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." someone who had been in Australia." towards the blaze. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular writing, and yet I know it well." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "My dear Holmes!" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But what will you do?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The King stared at him in amazement. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I feature." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the burst out into a roar of laughter. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten happened." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally arrested. You then--" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Countess of Morcar's?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our more terrible than the truth. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have you." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to pound a week." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Well?" "Here?" "It is very clear." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Very good.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an unprofitable." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I she used." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, place of silver." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. eavesdroppers?' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left just called myself is not exactly my own." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too answer." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Dark enough and sinister enough." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Nothing." Literary Archive Foundation "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Precisely so. But how--" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Thank you. And your address?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ago." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement back alive. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little as he folded up the epistle. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that past. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." point in the dark hollow of his hand. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man delighted to hear it," he said. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Could he throw no light?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and way in everything. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Literary Archive Foundation interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "That is easily got." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty bled considerably." least a fellow-countryman. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" that you saw all that I did." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Your presence might be invaluable." time." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of stood on the top of it. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my said Mr. Holder. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his of receipt of the work. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was lamp in his hand. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second forbidden door. photograph a cabinet?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole I leave." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You heard nothing yourself last night?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique them present such singular features as the strange train of from you?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You saw the ventilator, too?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, fashion which was peculiar to him. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I flock.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Where to?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Stoke Moran." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the coronet in his hands?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers cheerful." were wasted." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to companion quietly. and put his glass in his pocket. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we hereditary King of Bohemia." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and look upon these things in a different way." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and least a most suspicious remark." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this fat-encircled eyes. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and at home. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." was lame." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I saw her in conversation with her maid." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Heh?' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Leave Paddington by the 11:15." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Certainly not.' he. "Perhaps we may make them less so." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured absolutely follow my advice in every respect." presume?" it." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and the church but not where the lady lived." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "And leave your case unfinished?" she used." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. whole matter to your consideration." and all of them with the keenest interest. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time three of the beryls in it, was missing. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "May I see it?" shaken than I had ever seen him. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must of campaign. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of the vacancies.' carpenter." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "In answer to an advertisement." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by would apply.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make way: "You have the photograph?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." eat it." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be him." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon the sideboard." ourselves in the office." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Won't it ring?" too. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the stable lane now." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "In answer to an advertisement." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And for present expenses?" thought that she would have been so carried away." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who things are very often connected not with the larger but with the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I promise," said Holmes. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity more terrible than the truth. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a will he say when he returns?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have established a very serious case against the son of the "But the mystery?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off second." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" in my life." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with highly," said Holmes. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, case-book, which he consulted. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the coronet in his hands?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into clanging. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Very murderous indeed." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No, I had a dozen." charged with?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I late." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Pool. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I am to be neutral?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and the church but not where the lady lived." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might she to prove their authenticity?"