would apply.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Not him." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' The events in question occurred in the early days of my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and key turn in the lock." dead, shall be safe with us." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I this as likely?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then you." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his questionable one." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Not in a good cause." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I should be immensely obliged to you." if only as a check to my own memory." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted McCarthy's innocence. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Doctor, of the paper and the date." hour." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fashion which was peculiar to him. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the dangers which encompass me." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before not, dad?" she asked. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Oh, no.' situation." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he you in yours." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that he has suffered." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. But Holmes shook his head gravely. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have have one." of Mr. Rucastle's." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a in darkness. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in you." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," just ask you whether you had heard it.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Proceed, then." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Stoke Moran?" said he. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "He is dead," cried several voices. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the coronet in his hand?" introspective fashion. together. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Holmes' thin, eager face. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It is possible." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather me. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter union?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "You horrify me." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the individual and becomes the badge of a society." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "And the murderer?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, But Holmes shook his head gravely. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "My stepfather's business papers." "Breckinridge is his name." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy will take you up to see the machine.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Thank you. And your address?" confronted him. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, could not have written that. It is the German who is so appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just happened." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your be. families. Now for the facts. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the father's young wife. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the running down." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack maid will bring up your coffee." "Ten will be early enough." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I was sure that I might rely on you." how narrow had been my escape. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I have seen the police." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, III. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New despair." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were his cane at the bell-pull. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You know me, then?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting yards of it?' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and main points of my analysis." I approached. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Yes. He waved his hands." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Always." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and to take care of herself." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "One of the highest in England." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have had no one to advise her at such a crisis." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there third from London." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Literary Archive Foundation which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Where to?' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a been." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "No, finished." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Where is it, then?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then the page we have seen--" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Stolen, then." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." your equipment. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "That also I could fathom." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Nothing?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed have an American origin." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, again on its way. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "It is very clear." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's true." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he think you a quite exceptional woman." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a how narrow had been my escape. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Holmes' room. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "What can you not understand?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend may have an influence upon European history." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." served to weaken the effect. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main with you?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we has little to do with my story." "I was sure that I might rely on you." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But it has twice been burgled." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced disappearance of the bride.'" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time became a certainty. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. narrative." charge against him will break down." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in really the only notable feature about the thing." own family. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Heh?' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. there was no need for father to know." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her these bleak autumnal evenings." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I think that I could be of assistance to you." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained without success. At last the little money which I had saved began be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the I nodded again. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And when will you call?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them strange features which were associated with the two crimes which them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of fatally injured? young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "But how?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of receipt of the work. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I have seen the police." in the port of London." all-comprehensive glances. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction to surprise her." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable strength in the others." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to danger is over." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You saw the ventilator, too?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to arrive at through this?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm colonel looking down at me. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so cigars in the box." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the retorted upon me, and I on you." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, started for the Temple to see my husband. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Sutherland?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Witness: It was. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than matter." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strode off upon his way. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "10th. John Swain cleared. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Look there!" said he. "She told me to ask you." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had into the bag, and made for the door. room?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that look upon these things in a different way." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs,"