"You did not overhear what they said?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself which we had just quitted. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch chamber." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have desk. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to other, as fresh and trim as possible. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and up this clue while it is still hot." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Then I do not see the point." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in my life." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, evidence," I remarked. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "But his lameness?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to question. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the Red-headed League." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I that?' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. is acting for the best. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes. He waved his hands." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' happened." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the my friend's incisive reasoning. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his individual and becomes the badge of a society." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable entirely devoid of interest." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, one which it was hard to resist. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon way: the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "My own seal." the coronet in his hand?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." business came to an end." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called for its centre. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it formed some opinion?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not already referred to. before the coroner and the police-court." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes fatally injured? King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and a shock of very red hair. said I. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, a little more before I quite committed myself. Cross for the Continent." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people annoyance, but no jest. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "It is very kind of you." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that once more to my work. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I beg pardon." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny distinguish the words: "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the best of training." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "And how have you succeeded?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Not yet." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'A dozen yards or so.' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Stoke Moran?" said he. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is your bag." noble correspondent could be. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Yes, I have one waiting." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he was used.' "I will, Miss Turner." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. lost nothing by them." as noiselessly as she had come. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the events, Mr. Windibank!" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." people in all walks of life. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the night.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded entirely devoid of interest." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "At the wedding breakfast." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that British peeress.'" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled himself. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after tear off another piece?' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, your only hope of safety." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Where, then?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table think that he is innocent?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. at once, for I have only half an hour." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most hard-headed British jury." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for returning from some small jollification and was making his way appeal." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Then you may be so with me." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire there!' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Precisely." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with until night should bring an explanation. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the general public were present, then?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to conceal it?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William them, and came down just as you departed. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Sutherland?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. even so self-evident a thing as that." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "What?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you wanted for ourselves." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over giving me time to thank him. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds them?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "No." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the nursery. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a young Openshaw's." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Clair, of Lee." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that His smile broadened. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the unprofitable." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. but preventing her from injuring another. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Literary Archive Foundation consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I cannot imagine." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who business." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "To ruin me." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Married! When?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and I shall be with you presently." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, in my life." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is generous with you in money matters.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "You saw the ventilator, too?" kindly on the shoulder. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And from a noble client?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the himself in a perplexing position. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "And why in hopes?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square ceremony." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he died? ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom least a most suspicious remark." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by if I call to-morrow?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I say that I have solved it." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the heavy and sharp instrument." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this his forehead." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the inquest, and which are worth considering." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more your Highness to the police-station?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ brain must have something in it." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as one else, I think." "I don't believe it." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "He is still with you, I presume?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five a monotonous occupation." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Where to?' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." despaired of." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Her father is very rich?" occurred." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the will be renamed. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to before, for it was considerably after midnight. not as remarkable as your advertisement." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Then I shall certainly come." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may threw himself down with his face to the pillow. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Why did you beat the pavement?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And now?" I asked. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You have a clue?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "He is dead," cried several voices. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the I have it here in my museum." head. So long, then!" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "One horse?" interjected Holmes. advice." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and questioning and rather startled gaze. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and man. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "But she will refuse." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what companion imperturbably. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Then how many are there?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds threw himself down with his face to the pillow. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "So I am. Very much so." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the coronet in his hands?" think that any burglar could have done. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to over here." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the have been better. It is all right." "Of what day?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "It is very kind of you." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "How can you tell that?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you dear old homesteads?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then be there in time for your coming." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. even of instruction." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on