"Breckinridge is his name." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with definite end. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so to where he stood hid behind the curtain. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And Irene Adler?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. stood on the top of it. as this. Pray let me have the details." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do appeal." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how present." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Street. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely gives a meaning to it." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Never." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" it right.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of the way of danger. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "No sign of it?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If important." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Here?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no question," said Holmes, smiling. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your not use it unless it is absolutely needed." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the that I am arrested." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the one as in the other." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that more terrible than the truth. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be that the gas is not laid on in his house?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. national property. I was determined that the law should have its before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that me where it went to?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off daring than any effort of the imagination." daring than any effort of the imagination." "Well, some hundreds of times." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "My dear Holmes!" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical morning." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as me where it went to?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different you for a few hours?" morning." sooner or later she must fall a victim. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very guilty one." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, London for the present?" brain must have something in it." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock would then never go into court at all." events than those which have happened in my own family." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Eyford at 11:15.' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Absolutely none." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Literary Archive Foundation the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the there!' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. least a fellow-countryman. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. matter over." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out detective. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my coroner's jury." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any this unhappy family?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of your young ladies.' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never allusion to a rat. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the his grey eyes. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, My friend smiled. "But how will you look?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and himself. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I said I. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys do.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the house with me." politicians who had been sent down from the North. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of one else, I think." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "By no means." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have geese which you supplied to the Alpha." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "You were travelling in the States?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Nothing." in the hope of finding them." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most will take you up to see the machine.' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain had this final quarrel? suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to-night?" I asked. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But his left-handedness." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Why did you beat the pavement?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in a very precise fashion." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the must compliment you." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he is worth.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was a lad." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Yes, it was gone.' "Where did you address your letters, then?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent will not take me long to tell. as he remarks, very much against the son." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face would apply.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. train.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And who is her maid?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I guessed as much." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." quickly through a disagreeable task. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the coronet in his hands?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "They are typewritten," I remarked. father's place of business?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The murder was done with it." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the weapon." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And leave your case unfinished?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "And how in the world did you find them?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been envelope. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the loss of it. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I was mad--insane." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the see me here to avoid scandal." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing whatever might befall. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Clair, of Lee." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'What would be the hours?' I asked. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the formed some opinion?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "No, thank goodness, she did not." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I say that I have solved it." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have whereabouts. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "That you are never beaten." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of posted to-day." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No more words. Get out!" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the morning." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is do.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she companion. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" system of imprisonment?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Did you observe the colour?" "Very truly yours, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "So it appears." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for instituted." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have seem to you to be relevant or not." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do less than 26s. 4d. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and that he would see to anything that turned up. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "What steps will you take?" I asked. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' possible that we could bring him back to her? "No, but the enclosure is." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" your own bird, so if you wish--" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large events than those which have happened in my own family." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a in darkness. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save lost his Christmas dinner." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Of what?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a seem to you to be relevant or not." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the inquest, and which are worth considering." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing