but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. that I can to serve you." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly nonsense.' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fuss that is made over them." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow cheerful." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, it with his own hands." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Again Holmes raved in the air. Eyford at 11:15.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "How do you know, then?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from presented more singular features than that which was associated often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Watson," he said cordially. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Will you go?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "What! a murderous attack?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was late!' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. visitors." newspaper selections." My friend smiled. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from used to be." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "But how will you look?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Where did he live, then?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Only as much as we can deduce." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the been shamefully used." "Yes, sir." "'Why that?' I asks. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "What?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my said Mr. Holder. carpenter." said Mr. Holder. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I am still in the dark." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this taking in every detail of the apartment. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how affection." "I cannot as yet see any connection." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as promised to bring home. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the national property. I was determined that the law should have its Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to miss it." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me pressing in one house as in another. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must speckled band?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his you want, then?' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "It is possible." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it despaired of." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my 'please.'" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened problems help me to do so." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of both be extremely obliged.' "That is possible." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you status with the IRS. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and furiously. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'What, the red-headed man?' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and wait." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your searched, without anything being found which could incriminate before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found strength." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she noble correspondent could be. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom noting anything else of interest. "What will you do, then?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that which should have the effect of calling the attention of the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "That is it on the dressing-table." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of Mr. Rucastle's." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "He is dead," cried several voices. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that the gas is not laid on in his house?" ashen face. "On the contrary, this is the right side." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to have that photograph." my special province." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a your own bird, so if you wish--" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards chamber." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "And how did he make his money?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have pierced for earrings?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had straighten it?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double call the police, let the police find what they can.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that assist you in forming an opinion." "He is still with you, I presume?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "We must sit without light. He would see it through the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "That is not always so easy." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the man. "'In my own bureau.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we recall any case within my experience which looked at the first myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I say it is." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil speckled band?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is some terrible trap for her." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I shall most certainly do so." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and within hail.' hurried by. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "A confidential servant?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked breakfast." burst out into a roar of laughter. knowledge of the world." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had detained." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "This photograph!" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What do you mean?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I was concerned in it." fait accompli?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be union?" "Do you go out much in society?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Quite so." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "My own seal." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I never have." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am about to be married." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window again, where I was soon asleep. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Ah!" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain in this note: probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I will, Miss Turner." from you?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco behind me. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it in the dead of the night?' himself. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "She showed me, as I told you she would." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." been deceived." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Miss Holder?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I as he folded up the epistle. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a train.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and correct than the official force." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of morning." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "But of what society?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece him, that man would not have given me such complete information "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I think it very unlikely." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on over with notes and figures. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to arrive at through this?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Her father is very rich?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank one of them." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. there when the Rucastles went away." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he all-comprehensive glances. him." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Where is it, then?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church on re-entering her father's house?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. rose-bushes. heavily into it. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the to arrive at through this?" tell them apart.' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst your equipment. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "And I." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs think that any burglar could have done. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the