us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I will do it." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it late!' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "But how?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to only touch the interest." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have examine." amused." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest outside. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The best detective that ever lived. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while opportunities to fix the problem. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'A dozen yards or so.' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No more words. Get out!" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police at once, for I have only half an hour." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It done what I asked you, Jones?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It was." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." had picked up in the wood. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'Which dealer's?' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Did he not advertise?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If whole matter to your consideration." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It looks newer than the other things?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I fear not." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was past. you." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it http://www.gutenberg.net would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "They are typewritten," I remarked. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door side. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "And I to find an enemy." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Doctor, of the paper and the date." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Ten will be early enough." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" writer." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience following enigmatical notices: the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been cup of tea. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "What do you mean?" problems help me to do so." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed on in his house." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of returned to France?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the inquest, and which are worth considering." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and instincts rose up against that laugh. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes." "I should like to see him very much." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences fluttered off among the others. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' this man was intellectual?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. nonsense.' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "What! a murderous attack?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit there was no need for father to know." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than October 9, 1890. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Pray be precise as to details," said he. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "What is it, then--a fire?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with is so. I know all about McCarthy." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'Is purely nominal.' There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Leadenhall Street--and--" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey tassel actually lying upon the pillow. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the loss of it. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the ceiling. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "You are hungry," I remarked. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "That is unusual in a young girl." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like you came in." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the His name is Francis Prosper." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project know that the truth is known." "But how did you gain them?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes down from London to inquire more deeply into it." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But you can know nothing of this?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, presented more singular features than that which was associated and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "So it appears." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "To an end?" indeed which he could not unravel. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "What will you do, then?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "A client, then?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "But who is he?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several tassel actually lying upon the pillow. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was it means?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying gives a meaning to it." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "By no means." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Street. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from fled together." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Perhaps we may make them less so." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice if I call to-morrow?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his extraordinary contortions. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'What, the red-headed man?' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Then, as to money?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of Mr. Rucastle's." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Have you her photograph?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by purpose of examination. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" his knees, staring into the fire. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Have you her photograph?" "Yes." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Come in!" said Holmes. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" everything which you would wish to know." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has desk. miles off. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon go back?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her his wife has ceased to love him." should be taken.' "I beg pardon." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, girl said." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. voice, changing her seat as requested. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Not particularly." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I pound a week." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "The doctor?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of situation." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, have accepted such a situation. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco one's self under obligations.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a held up the lantern and gazed about him. down. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time than was visible to me." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I should be immensely obliged to you." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such an introduction to him?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of affair. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "At half-wages, in fact." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business spark where all is dark to me." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed you in yours." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done could not account in any way for the presence of the missing what I may call a really hard day's work." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "My Mary? Impossible!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I promise," said Holmes. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the ventilator." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter overpowering excitement and concern. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had fuss that is made over them." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'What, the red-headed man?' even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible when you have done it." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw gbnewby@pglaf.org job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "By no means." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my upon a handsome competence. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Mary, has deserted me." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I thirty. himself to tell his story. "Nothing?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "VIOLET HUNTER." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. envelope. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is interest. They are important, you understand, without being "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the ways of our fellow-men." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see