All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Never." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Did you observe the colour?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "What do you mean?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort test if we have an answer to our advertisement." nonsense.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw round with crates and massive boxes. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "It came here." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Count Von Kramm." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. which are rolled in Rotterdam." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who ashen face. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat one which it was hard to resist. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Ah!" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a should be taken.' clang of the bell. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I have come for advice." one of them." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had heavy and sharp instrument." a very grave face. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that be there in time for your coming." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "By no means." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew direction." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a giving me time to thank him. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Will you bet, then?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And that is--" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found reach." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I was mad--insane." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had heavily into it. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length enter into my head. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the station." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Bought." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Then I shall certainly come." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and files of the old papers, following the future career of every maid will bring up your coffee." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when good for you to do.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been dear old homesteads?" "Won't it ring?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I don't believe it." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: character. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Of what day?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had back to my heart. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "And how did you find out?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to everything which you would wish to know." bell. Holmes whistled. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by said Mr. Holder. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' charged with?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. vanished into the darkness. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite said he at last. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is burst out into a roar of laughter. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case round and wave him away like that.' careless servant girl?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "But how will you look?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." your most interesting statement." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the never will be, entirely cleared up. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say already referred to. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'There is a drive, then?' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It is half-past ten now." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. yet." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You forget that I know nothing about it." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Again Holmes raved in the air. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a towards the blaze. read over the extraordinary announcement. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Mary, has deserted me." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend him. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "This photograph!" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Gutenberg-tm License. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Cross for the Continent." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms where we are going." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'You cannot say what it was?' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you villagers almost as much as their master. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I approached. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his over with notes and figures. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table vanished into the darkness. the night.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "He slept on the premises." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "You horrify me." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be there were so many in the whole country as were brought together directors, with the result that you have seen." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream meant it for the best. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I unprofitable." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the driver. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the very morning of the wedding." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country visitors." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; From what you have told me I think that it is possible that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." speckled band?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "But he might be a bachelor." directors, with the result that you have seen." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most out." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Of Friday, June 19th." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the hour?' province." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "And the cigar-holder?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons II. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "But how will you look?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "It surprised me." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hands. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction second." flock.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and sofa. This way, please!" goes." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, fashion which was peculiar to him. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I think you a quite exceptional woman." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'A dozen yards or so.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making help us in this matter." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, this man was intellectual?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and face and glided from the room. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dramatic, in fact." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the there." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Dirty?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one sofa. This way, please!" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "You have a clue?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Not I." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes." constraint." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless could gather together that I was able to avert another public evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Yes, I promise.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and is," said he presently: life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "I would give my fortune to have them back." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me congenial hunt. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was see me here to avoid scandal." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project forecastle of an emigrant ship. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you." be there in time for your coming." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is entirely lost his self-respect." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Quite so. She has her freedom." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I see many objections to any such theory." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Cross for the Continent." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Well, some hundreds of times." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with