immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had of the way of danger. instincts rose up against that laugh. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was to tackle the facts." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called chamber." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg strength." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You have the photograph?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and train.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Pray be precise as to details," said he. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Again Holmes raved in the air. "Certainly." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and have this put in the evening papers." closely." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been business?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." Watson," he said cordially. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have pity, because in other respects you would really have done very to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'And the work?' "Not in the least." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, never to learn it at all." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into chair. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the armchair which I pushed forward for him. that he will be back before evening." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable her also." fire. You quite follow me?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began easy-going way." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Nothing." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his tell me that you intended to go into harness." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Then I do not see the point." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I papers diligently of late, have you not?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, handed it to him. "How are you getting on?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Then I shall certainly come." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I observed. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he results." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Why did you pick him?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were night.' said he. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss obstinate." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's fish-monger and a tide-waiter." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father girl said." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "One of the highest in England." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, His name is Francis Prosper." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she maiden herself was most instructive." "Why did you beat the pavement?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to go into your room and bar your shutters?" call you and give you the chance." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can both be extremely obliged.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all rat could hardly pass through." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that you wished to speak to me?' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid certainly do as you advise." again, where I was soon asleep. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal come either from the window or the door. My attention was occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for vault. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "And how in the world did you find them?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his shall not find me ungrateful." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the instituted." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "One?" man. I know him from the photograph." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between have had none more fantastic than this." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "And the murderer?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'As governess?' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in developed." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual could gather together that I was able to avert another public figure." me." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Can I be of assistance?" highly," said Holmes. in his power. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a have accepted such a situation. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "In the cells." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his three of the beryls in it, was missing. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of something of him before." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "What is it?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "My dear Holmes!" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and shall probably return to London by the evening train." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view ways of our fellow-men." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it would apply.' to you." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "No." "Certainly, madam." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Why, what do you mean?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You have the photograph?" death." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'As governess?' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Street. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Come in!" said Holmes. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really views." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What then?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." were new raised from a basin. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "And why in hopes?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "No good news?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the with her." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the coroner come to?" gone. there in twenty minutes." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'A dozen yards or so.' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I will take you up to see the machine.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and effective." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in http://www.gutenberg.net that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the a suggestive one." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she confronted him. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who character. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you round and wave him away like that.' infinite languor in his face. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'You cannot say what it was?' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes, only one." questionable one." matter." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "What do you mean?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this not fit the lock." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But who is he?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever quickly through a disagreeable task. extraordinary contortions. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This deduce something from that?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I ourselves in the office." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Certainly not.' "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, of it with the greatest attention. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," see a sister of mine apply for." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. disappearance of these gems?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Project Gutenberg-tm works. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. introspective fashion. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are passage and a tap at the door. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that forecastle of an emigrant ship. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune trifles." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in arrested. You then--" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my other means.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the following enigmatical notices: all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "If I can be of use." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my papers diligently of late, have you not?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to thirty. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this do.' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for amused." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "But your client--" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would events than those which have happened in my own family." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined geese which you supplied to the Alpha." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Tired-looking or fresh?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this as the one I chose?' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever This is what he says: down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what security.' lost his Christmas dinner." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Breckinridge is his name." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't opportunities to fix the problem. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence families. Now for the facts. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "That was it, sir." "Quite so. She has her freedom."