"'And the work?' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. salesman. highroad, where all traces were lost. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Pray tell us what has happened to you." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this for its centre. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction come either from the window or the door. My attention was conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact suddenly upon us." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, that he will be back before evening." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And the cigar-holder?" cigar and let me expound." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up companion. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until any more." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily pressing in one house as in another. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and gives a meaning to it." undoubtedly my uncle's." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "It is his hat." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us lost nothing by them." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "A greater distance to travel." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. sooner or later she must fall a victim. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, upon the shelf for the interim." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for at my remark. but preventing her from injuring another. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, not fit the lock." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. foot. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' in a friendly supper." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land II. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you correct than the official force." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, remarked. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only You want to know what became of those geese?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future individual and becomes the badge of a society." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I was concerned in it." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I say it is." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Holmes' face clouded over. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but flock.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, window when the police appeared." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young nice household for a young lady." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir meant." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to little adventures." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves fatally injured? something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the should be so warm over such a trifle." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said into the room. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside was shining brightly. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Nothing?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, was already answered. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If voice. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "May I see it?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, recover the gem." "Yes." arrested. You then--" constraint." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Was he the only applicant?" "It is a murder, then?" "BALLARAT." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Yes." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed jewels which you have stolen?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man tell them apart.' breakfast?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on ceremony." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I bird I ate is country bred." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I would give my fortune to have them back." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the good-night and bustled off upon her way. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture to change my dress. "What steps will you take?" I asked. became a certainty. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Then, how do you know?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "An enemy?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "If I can be of use." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your young Openshaw's." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Certainly not.' "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "She walked into the breakfast-room." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been not interfere, come what may. You understand?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come instincts rose up against that laugh. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a your own bird, so if you wish--" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided into the bag, and made for the door. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, but China?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those affair. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and fire. You quite follow me?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been DISSOLVED. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being if only as a check to my own memory." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "So it appears." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I was mad--insane." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, foresight and the moral retrogression?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" desk. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I any." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying them?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it kind enough to tell me what I should do." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same at my own good fortune. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I am about to be married." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to outside." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired that you can jump it.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and arrested. You then--" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I was mad--insane." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "The rest you will leave in our hands." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than brain must have something in it." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "So I am. Very much so." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He dates and names. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began be there in time for your coming." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR once more. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Thank you. And your address?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to surprise her." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would again on its way. pictures, libraries, or plate. "There are none." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it absorbing." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard to me. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was felt?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: way in everything. village inn over there?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from compunction about shooting them down." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story you?' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'You cannot say what it was?' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study would apply.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I few hundred pounds.' say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week companion quietly. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last chill to my heart. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Yes." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Were they all fastened this morning?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'And the work?' "Then he might have called to you?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in his power. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your always that they were such commands as a lady might with "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "And how in the world did you find them?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those your troubles." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. my room." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. your Highness to the police-station?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its already referred to. speckled band?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. security.' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sit on the left-hand side of the driver." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "One?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an system of imprisonment?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." face and glided from the room. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on his eyes and forehead. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I most interesting one." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I again." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them signal between you and your father? "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the