the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Doctor, of the paper and the date." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." cigars in the box." answered with a sidelong glance. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Very good.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for States. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works The summons was a brief and urgent one. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ran thus: grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, crowd. was keenly on my guard against him. "Do you go out much in society?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet like gravel from a pit.' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "But his left-handedness." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fattened it expressly for you.' were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his whatever might befall. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I am armed." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his time." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. murdered man." tapping his fingers upon the table. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's within hail.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid since then to throw any light upon what became of him." congratulate you again." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing room?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Pool. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very habit of advancing money.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a your billet.' his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the hour?' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. upon an income of about 60 pounds." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my go from here to the Strand." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We ashen face. you." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted him." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "What?" charged with?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "And now?" I asked. see me here to avoid scandal." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Ample.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. than to us. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Do you go out much in society?" "But what is it you wish?" "Ah!" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Munro.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "You think that he is dead?" "It came here." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Then, as to money?" them?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, on re-entering her father's house?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Where, indeed?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. will be renamed. "Get out!" said he. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would stammered. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all is," said he presently: "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It missed him, then?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the coronet in his hands?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, him, that man would not have given me such complete information and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'I shall certainly be there.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed nights." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would occurred." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Seven!" I answered. were new raised from a basin. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'I am sure that I do not know.' time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and have an American origin." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face business." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "On Monday." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its was used.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Quite so. She has her freedom." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Your sister is dead, then?" "You horrify me." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Foundation "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of DISSOLVED. "The gentleman I describe." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was was already answered. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the woven round him. secret." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella of receipt of the work. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The infinite languor in his face. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most foot. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia said Mr. Holder. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "So it appears." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient feature." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Ample.' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Farm upon the left." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that threaten you." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me money should be paid at once.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. made him keep the appointment." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But to whom?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Yes. He waved his hands." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Were they all fastened this morning?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock tension within him. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." lectures into a series of tales." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me has little to do with my story." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post peculiar to him. only touch the interest." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." do.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Here?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "What office?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an companion quietly. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You will not go there first?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still maid will bring up your coffee." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next meant." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Murdered?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yes, I have one waiting." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital case before our client came into the room." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and never will be, entirely cleared up. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a me. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her as this. Pray let me have the details." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I know where it is." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Yes." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had weapon." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted lips." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fear." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Well." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I am sure." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy call you and give you the chance." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Absolutely?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the be. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for union?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been appeared upon the scene." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a which our visitor detailed to us. outside. made him keep the appointment." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "What is it, then--a fire?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. matters immensely." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and that he would see to anything that turned up. said I. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to-night?' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped better grown goose." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "And sit in the dark?" "My last client of the sort was a king." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that