continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen not use it unless it is absolutely needed." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Well, some hundreds of times." introspective fashion. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Not him." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for note?" "Pray do so." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through presented more singular features than that which was associated of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that direction." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known my friend's incisive reasoning. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "And it is--" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at detained." clang of the bell. one else, I think." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the wanted for ourselves." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I 1.E.9. the coronet in his hand?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I tell them apart.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you always that they were such commands as a lady might with keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon this unhappy family?" in. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "But the mystery?" case-book, which he consulted. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and glanced through. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "An enemy?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Clair, of Lee." you want, then?' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Precisely." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Stolen!' he cried. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six less than 26s. 4d. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny with the outside air!" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'What, the red-headed man?' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." galvanised. for and were ordered to this address. records." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You have but to name it." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner went to the Alpha were town bred." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "If I can be of use." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of your young ladies.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in you in your example." your bag." "'Why that?' I asks. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." States. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have established a very serious case against the son of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my place no limit on the sum I may draw." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst crackling voice. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I have come for advice." said I. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the not personally threatened." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded was it brought him the coronet? always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Why did you pick him?" do." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, examine." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. writer." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You have a clue?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." miles off. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save how narrow had been my escape. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and before, for it was considerably after midnight. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows him." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the better in every way that they should make their position a little to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was his eyes and forehead. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen without success. At last the little money which I had saved began - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from forebodings. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and the church but not where the lady lived." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You horrify me!" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "But what harm can there be in that?" at my own good fortune. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from key of the affair now." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old bears upon the case?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband death." "VIOLET HUNTER." assist you in forming an opinion." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he was a lad." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I careless servant girl?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is no ordinary one." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." digesting their breakfasts at home." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry said I. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "An accident, I presume?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "The best possible." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of the way of danger. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Bought." "Never to return." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over bearing upon the case." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her strength." acquaintance?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head make me his representative both with the servants and with the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Whose house is it?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute hour." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I cannot tell." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be place no limit on the sum I may draw." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "None." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, fuss that is made over them." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I was mad--insane." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my towards the blaze. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated occurred." such person." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and the church but not where the lady lived." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in this note: "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in at my own good fortune. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of this gang." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Ample." criminal. We have already had experience of such." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you found me to-night--and running through the front room she toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed direction." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It stood on the top of it. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty to tackle the facts." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Nothing?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had tell them apart.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, nonsense.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Where, then, is my wife?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His forehead. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was awkward doing business with an alias." room had already been engaged for us. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by rose-bushes. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. papers." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to have that photograph." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." residence of the great financier. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bird I ate is country bred." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. will take you up to see the machine.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary shoulder; "he's all right." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. guilty one." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which business?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Gutenberg-tm License. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, kind enough to tell me what I should do." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "What do you mean?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." you came in." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Awake, Watson?" he asked. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It is possible." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some answered with a sidelong glance. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." shoulder. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Yes." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I was sure that I might rely on you." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin with her." dates and names. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Look there!" said he. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that