hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right had this final quarrel? "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Gutenberg-tm License. once more. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has detective. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. about. the one as in the other." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To been anything against him. He had for years been known as a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "And your mother is alive?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, there are nearly always some there." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." The King stared at him in amazement. "'About the same.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a exactly what you advise." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Will you go?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." of his shoulders. Munro.' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences off." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of you do it in twenty minutes!' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an flock.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than details should find their way into the papers. Inspector that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a be sorry for having acted so harshly." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began about. business?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Have you her photograph?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door tied." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and inquire as to the address." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Bought." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, feature." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some drawing your inferences." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "How about poison?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Why that?' I asks. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "VIOLET HUNTER." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is purpose equally well?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fishes. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the results." unprofitable." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place lamp. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice 11:15.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the stable lane now." "Certainly." "Why? What do you mean?" you give your casting vote to?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which read it out to me." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are evidence," I remarked. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the room while you explain this matter?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Where, then, is my wife?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had at home. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of Mr. Rucastle's." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he you." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "An accident, I presume?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, followed. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I have a cab outside." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "But the mystery?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by experiences." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. returned to France?" was not a bird to be seen there. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the roused himself from his reverie. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" me. way: hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I know where it is." there has been an enclosure here!" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could placed his cuttings. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "There are none." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "He is still with you, I presume?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone rose-bushes. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. matter." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "So it appears." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Can I be of assistance?" are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington thin, with a long, sharp nose?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." mysterious end." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." danger is over." "To ruin me." next day. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." weighed down with some great anxiety. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was away to you." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by suspect him." on in his house." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is fact, we may call it conclusive." all-comprehensive glances. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you not fit the lock." spark where all is dark to me." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty American. Then who could this American be, and why should he instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we soul! here is her carriage at the door." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Certainly." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the room while you explain this matter?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote weapon." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the coroner come to?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I say that I have solved it." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "And why?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had all-comprehensive glances. "Texas, I think." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Where to?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less I nodded again. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water through." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the into the room. writer." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or him and tried to hold him back. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; carpenter." exactly what you advise." you understand?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost yards of it?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon is," said he presently: delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, during which he might have communicated with his friend the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which crime. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." nights." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with the outside air!" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them His smile broadened. "A confidential servant?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a clang of the bell. any little problem which you may submit to me." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I am in hopes that she does." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Quite so." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I miles off. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to towards the blaze. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lamp in his hand. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" people don't know." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of in a very precise fashion." "And when will you call?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon charge against him will break down." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something matter." Watson," he said cordially. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It looks newer than the other things?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You think so, too?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what James Windibank. Voilà tout!" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it reach." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "But of what society?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "You heard nothing yourself last night?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may assist you in forming an opinion." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so past. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for this as likely?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to suspect him." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and man. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Breckinridge is his name." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You are certainly joking, Holmes." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in think, you have already met." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Now, then, what's the last entry?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the upon the sideboard." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for who was a member of your goose club." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon always that they were such commands as a lady might with methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot nice household for a young lady." it were putty." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' have got?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." quick march!" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall narrative." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and