drawing your inferences." "Where, indeed?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my congenial hunt. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are village inn over there?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes' face clouded over. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he me upon any point which I do not make clear." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and present." footfalls from the street. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a hereditary King of Bohemia." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been The events in question occurred in the early days of my gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Then, as to money?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning 'I should be able to look after that for you.' through." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Have you good authority for what you say?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and have this put in the evening papers." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "What is it, then--a fire?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot leaning back in his chair. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Very murderous indeed." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that he will be back before evening." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And how did you find out?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the station." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And you can do nothing until then?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking lost his Christmas dinner." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Pray do so." details." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place should be taken.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Is he quiet?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "You are hungry," I remarked. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to golden eyeglasses. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond room had already been engaged for us. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a there in twenty minutes." records." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that which it had come upon my father." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of to-night." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every delirious. could not have written that. It is the German who is so his face. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when politicians who had been sent down from the North. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "At what time?" never will be, entirely cleared up. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "If I can be of use." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" from you?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the business in the City. She little knew what. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and eat it." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my despair." weary and pale-looking. arrangements." call it cruel." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Why? What do you mean?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this girl said." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' written. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary developed." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself just ask you whether you had heard it.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as this. Pray let me have the details." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick closely." "And what then?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'I shall certainly be there.' tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and was already answered. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself because she had spent so short a time in this country that she our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked fashion which was peculiar to him. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. him." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, yes, easily." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted voice. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Were they all fastened this morning?" "So it appears." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Stoke Moran." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is in him." matter." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a lamp. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable recover the gem." in this way: mysterious business." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the loss of it. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater swore that no one else had been in the front room during the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Oh, yes, easily." train.' right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to laugh and put his lips to my ear. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, salesman. nothing with him." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, yards of it?' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to business." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "That's no good." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "What, then?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." villagers almost as much as their master. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. might have a private word with us. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing away to you." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible present." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it room had already been engaged for us. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the compunction about shooting them down." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was time." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this think you a quite exceptional woman." "Never to return." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the best of training." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone present strange and interesting features that it is no easy tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a he. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." already referred to. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had weighed down with some great anxiety. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's system of imprisonment?" or in danger--" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, standing smiling on the door-step. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black see me here to avoid scandal." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "You forget that I know nothing about it." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation grasp, he hurried from the room. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes, it would be as well." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and laid it on the table. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "That is not always so easy." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell seven miles from Eyford Station.' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And why in hopes?" strode off upon his way. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his forehead. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his which our visitor detailed to us. union?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or evidence," I remarked. whether it answered to the description of any of their round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and learned something! Where are the gems?" married her." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good green of the new foliage. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to quickly through a disagreeable task. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This You can understand that this register and diary may implicate had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, whereabouts. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon orange pips. that you saw all that I did." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open me where it went to?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Yes." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I tell them apart.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his fire. You quite follow me?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else