suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which interests were the same as his." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of presented more singular features than that which was associated fatally injured? Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "And what did you see?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "To an end?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Was he the only applicant?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you foot. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master main points of my analysis." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Very truly yours, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "That's no good." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase not come at once?" cheerful." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, strength." "Was she in good spirits?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that you can jump it.' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Yes. He waved his hands." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds you found me to-night--and running through the front room she touch that coronet?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man like gravel from a pit.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The yourselves in at night?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to tackle the facts." our word." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came easy-going way." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the a suggestive one." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the call the police, let the police find what they can.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Ten will be early enough." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Clair, of Lee." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found present." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "One?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle highroad, where all traces were lost. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and wait." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" lost nothing by them." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' long narrative. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "She showed me, as I told you she would." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in bonnet, and went out." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, formed some opinion?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It is no ordinary one." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of enter into my head. child?' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was keenly on my guard against him. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the emerged. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. indeed which he could not unravel. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Certainly." again before evening." "Then you may be so with me." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step points in connection with it which never have been, and probably window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in have been better. It is all right." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how village inn over there?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was all?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that neither fascinating nor artistic." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Was your sister dressed?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we know that the truth is known." that there was nothing in it, after all." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it writing, and yet I know it well." quite distinctive." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And how have you succeeded?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a cigars in the box." will not take me long to tell. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "So I have heard." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken God! What an exposure! What can I do?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and effective." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all a little more before I quite committed myself. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the time." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already young Openshaw's." presume?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps events, Mr. Windibank!" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an just ask you whether you had heard it.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have singular points about the case. What did the police think of the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was was feeling which was the fattest.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every charge against him will break down." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and observed. States. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy that you saw all that I did." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Very. But will he see it?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and instituted." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little not as remarkable as your advertisement." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the we went to search for him, face downward in a little London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may overpowering excitement and concern. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "One of the highest in England." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another to a more successful conclusion." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the foot. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Is 4 pounds a week.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or take the flies, but not before." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and looked back. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fat-encircled eyes. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had asked. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "She walked into the breakfast-room." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. bachelor.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without bed dies. Does not that strike you?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and files of the old papers, following the future career of every stood on the top of it. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'I am sure that I do not know.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "What do you mean?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its My friend smiled. "The King of Scandinavia." whatever might befall. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been copied or distributed: is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "That is it on the dressing-table." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Certainly not.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the best of training." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "You were travelling in the States?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will hand, madam?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, she used." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Yes." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "My last client of the sort was a king." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could newspaper selections." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Perfectly so." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the coronet in his hand?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Come in!" said Holmes. in. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of a light. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such residence of the great financier. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I if she died from some sudden fright." upon an income of about 60 pounds." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle made him keep the appointment." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "How on earth--" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed late." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new pressing in one house as in another. "You have the photograph?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "And your mother is alive?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Here?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'Never.' foot. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil hereditary King of Bohemia." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "My stepfather's business papers." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must