whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid anything to do with the matter?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. shall use the carriage to-night." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I was certainly surprised to find you there." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Chief Executive and Director the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary note?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "That is not always so easy." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Edgeware Road. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' geese which you supplied to the Alpha." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I don't believe it." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "The murder was done with it." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in dramatic, in fact." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a this man was intellectual?" feature." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and written. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the dramatic, in fact." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "No." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. putting in the horse. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Nothing." "No. What a strange idea!" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Street. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." once more for Briony Lodge. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But you have hopes?" gone. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly derbies." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the wedding?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the followed. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Perhaps we may make them less so." Henry Baker is a member." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Then I am your man." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I do." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. been able to understand it, in a very few words. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's outbreak?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And what did you learn from him?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." galvanised. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and then?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold make me his representative both with the servants and with the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this to me. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but prisoner's face. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You are certainly joking, Holmes." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that?' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "To an end?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'As governess?' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I was afraid that you were engaged." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'I am sure if I had known--' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, States. already referred to. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "But he might be a bachelor." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I have hopes." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." my little problems." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Arthur Conan Doyle arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." all that?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as me." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' crowd. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the south-west, I see." it right.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the roots. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. more terrible than the truth. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always minor matters until to-morrow." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like secret." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Surrey." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Just look it up, then." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do like that before?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may are, I think, all that we need." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And is that all?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the in this way: cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me questionable one." will be renamed. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, how narrow had been my escape. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of astonishment. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Look there!" said he. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Countess of Morcar's?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity during which he might have communicated with his friend the "That also I could fathom." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. mysterious business." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "But we can't all be." Edgeware Road. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the of this gang." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time this as likely?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at geese which you supplied to the Alpha." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass asked. "This concluded the examination of the witness." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting fait accompli?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. could go. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and looked back. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The landlord of the Alpha." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of over here." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself bell. Holmes whistled. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Game for a morning drive?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But the mystery?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You know me, then?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down my secret was safe in his possession. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project better in every way that they should make their position a little "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you bird of prey. "Yes, all." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My private note-paper." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "In which, sir?" events than those which have happened in my own family." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "My Mary? Impossible!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt one which it was hard to resist. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Get out!" said he. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Can I be of assistance?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the official police." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "So I heard. You have him here?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just window when the police appeared." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged just called myself is not exactly my own." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Stolen." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a strode off upon his way. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a awaited us upon the table. visitors." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I took the paper from him and read as follows: everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of morning." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked these bleak autumnal evenings." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of fire. You quite follow me?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't back alive. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she your co-operation." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told matters immensely." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many foot. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went very peculiar words of the dying woman?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "But how did you gain them?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have established a very serious case against the son of the minor matters until to-morrow." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Witness: I must still refuse. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the child." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to a more successful conclusion." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and capable of preserving a secret.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Awake, Watson?" he asked. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Tired-looking or fresh?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts,