the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was standing smiling on the door-step. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. trifles." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Munro.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You horrify me!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "An enemy?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I is acting for the best. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Yes." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" foot. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my other lovers by making love himself." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. himself. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No legal papers or certificates?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old status with the IRS. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the at once, for I have only half an hour." said I. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, obstinate." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was not a bird to be seen there. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as yards of it?' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of persecution?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I think that it is very probable." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the tragedy. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the inquest, and which are worth considering." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "A client, then?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done directly by questioning you." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had or other trace. But how on earth--" of the way of danger. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The Coroner: What do you mean? fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not occupations.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his placed his cuttings. "Absolutely?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Certainly." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding someone who had been in Australia." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. business." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It goes to the housekeeper's room." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who a little more before I quite committed myself. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was strength of mind to control. here and I will read it to you: foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry woman who has had her own way to make in the world. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to indiscretion." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of unkempt, staring out at me. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have my room." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the night.' "Yes, I have one waiting." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have I gained?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Never.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, that is the Crown." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "This concluded the examination of the witness." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, go back?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few with some details as to your case." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "And how did you verify them?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between know what is wrong with it.' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of with the outside air!" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "My own seal." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what might help us?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Yes, all." them?" his knees, staring into the fire. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "A greater distance to travel." manager. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven your room." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She jewels which you have stolen?' comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the nursery. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet for securing the situation." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Why did you pick him?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the six. Come in!" correct than the official force." were new raised from a basin. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the stones. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fait accompli?" "Get out!" said he. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sufficient punishment." "Then what has happened to him?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an The telegram which we eventually received came late one night rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of his shoulders. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And that is--" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I front of me. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Will you bet, then?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank you for a few hours?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight definite end. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "How did that help you?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. unprecedented a position." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "And that is--" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." hereditary King of Bohemia." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace taking in every detail of the apartment. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "And did you observe any change in her then?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" them present such singular features as the strange train of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case characteristics, but those are the more obvious." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "No?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case most interesting one." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Oh, yes, easily." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in returned to France?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It indeed which he could not unravel. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "She showed me, as I told you she would." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the wedding?" possible that we could bring him back to her? graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet never to learn it at all." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more quite distinctive." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the coronet in his hands?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "You forget that I know nothing about it." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And you can do nothing until then?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The key of the affair now." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was will not take me long to tell. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Your presence might be invaluable." "You forget that I know nothing about it." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon cigars in their mouths. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a envelope. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I answered that I had not. crowd. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "VIOLET HUNTER." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk begun to whiten, even as mine has." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found your co-operation." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Nearly eleven." but preventing her from injuring another. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a go--none." "'Ample.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "What steps will you take?" I asked. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no yourselves in at night?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was wedding?" the salesman. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." father's place of business?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Precisely so. But how--" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of brandy and water within his reach. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to over here." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive your co-operation." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found society."