I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "But his lameness?" enough to aid us in our search." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the roots. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she front of me. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "No more words. Get out!" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their any more." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of next day. "A client, then?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "About a month then." you for a few hours?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'And what are they worth?' I asked. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Thank you. And your address?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Absolutely none." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" voice, changing her seat as requested. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their little adventures." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the front of me. do you make of it all?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly know all about it," he snarled. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was were wasted." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" John Swain, of St. Augustine. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The gentleman I describe." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to-night's adventure." "But what is it you wish?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and the whole place is in a blaze." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The with some details as to your case." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the imbecility!" he cried. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "There are none." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no interested in these little problems, and since you are good "But how?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Come in!" said he. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of miles off. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me his face which made him a very different person to the round, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "No?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard notes," he said. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come suggested at once that there must be a communication between the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but some place of shelter and let the county police know what has considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" will he say when he returns?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but once more on the important position which you have been fortunate cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "An accident, I presume?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I will, Miss Turner." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from God! What an exposure! What can I do?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the call for it in person on Monday morning.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one used to be." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very out." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property business." "What shall I do?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the carried out of court." make me his representative both with the servants and with the everything which you would wish to know." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and looked back. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case were new raised from a basin. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Did you become engaged then?" know what is wrong with it.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "From his hat?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "The gentleman I describe." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, it." "Nothing?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a room. himself to hunt down. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lamp. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fishes. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the colour had been driven from his face. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "The vanishing of the lady." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be 'I should be able to look after that for you.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which read it out to me." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "You are all wrong." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "May I see it?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand lectures into a series of tales." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I before the coroner and the police-court." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, name is different." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to Leatherhead. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. I approached. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' served to weaken the effect. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Frequently." "And who is her maid?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it foot. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" served to weaken the effect. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "No, distinctly professional." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Really! You surprise me." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the side-table." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name light and attacked it." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, hour." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not would then never go into court at all." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It looks newer than the other things?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hopeless attempt at recovering them." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, ready to-morrow?' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I am sure." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was bill, which interests me deeply." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the window when the police appeared." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the inquest, and which are worth considering." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the iron safe, which he closed upon it. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to copied or distributed: His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "He said too much." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I guessed as much." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "It must be recovered." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of gives a meaning to it." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner subject to the trademark license, especially commercial visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission astonishment. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "It is his hat." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Which dealer's?' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." promised to bring home. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I cannot imagine." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point things are very often connected not with the larger but with the way in everything. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in the dead of the night?' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon with frightened eyes at his accuser. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is examination of the premises, but without finding anything which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of quick march!" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. lectures into a series of tales." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Precisely." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A upon the shelf for the interim." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that