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 our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I have seen the police." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had followed. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could that you wished to speak to me?' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "What are they?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some the house with me." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "What office?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You are certainly joking, Holmes." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I cannot tell." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I cannot say that I have." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by nothing of it?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It is a murder, then?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Foundation she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade money should be paid at once.' "In heaven's name, what for?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He unclasping of his long thin hands. "'I have heard so.' the night.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "There is the writing." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your of them has the shutters up.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the running down." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late call for it in person on Monday morning.' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, only one." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "The Cedars?" views." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "By train from Waterloo." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with beg that you will break it off." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just present." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and newspaper selections." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner a room. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'I have already given you my word.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular records." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It came here." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three case-book, which he consulted. "Is he quiet?" upon the sideboard." "Yes." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But cause to be." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the coroner come to?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of campaign. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Holmes." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful putting in the horse. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon DISSOLVED. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Heh?' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'About the same.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Have you it here?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you drove away. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement fatally injured? "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." she might be summoned. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' straighten it?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, mysterious business." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is reach." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely awkward doing business with an alias." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "He disappeared so suddenly." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the married her." writing, and yet I know it well." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'Ample.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback certainly not very gracious." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Deserted you?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge seven miles from Eyford Station.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other some terrible trap for her." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. against a man in the prime of life?" the coronet in his hand?" I. hard-headed British jury." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that I can to serve you." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." London for the present?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a mystery!" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You were travelling in the States?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in this way: off." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. young Openshaw's." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing asked. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of crime." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You were travelling in the States?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No legal papers or certificates?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the furiously. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some any." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the just called myself is not exactly my own." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It is very kind of you." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It is a murder, then?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Perfectly so." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "We must sit without light. He would see it through the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "What then?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Then what has happened to him?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. not fit the lock." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over delirious. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes, sir." Have you good authority for what you say?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing depend upon my doing so.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening examination of the premises, but without finding anything which his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Has he come with you to-night?" became a certainty. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a families. Now for the facts. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as without success. At last the little money which I had saved began is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Did you become engaged then?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Cross for the Continent." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Come in!" said he. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is come either from the window or the door. My attention was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the of campaign. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with situation." present." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the that I may have something better before very many minutes are better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and in his hands." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little advice." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California call it cruel." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've imbecility!" he cried. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. works. See paragraph 1.E below. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at him, that man would not have given me such complete information from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I key of the affair now." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the way in." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And Miss Sutherland?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I think that it is very probable." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, formed some opinion?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but this poor creature." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." her also." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is to-morrow." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug extraordinary contortions. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "I came to find a friend." "So it appears." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Yes, from Horsham." derbies." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "In the cells." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I took the paper from him and read as follows: blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "What then?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "And when will you call?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Eyford at 11:15.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more peculiar to him. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards other lovers by making love himself." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Where, indeed?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "And help." digesting their breakfasts at home." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "By no means." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I do." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Yes.' directors, with the result that you have seen." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "What do you mean?" your own bird, so if you wish--" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went forehead. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Pope's Court. "How often?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that is acting for the best. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Nothing."