within hail.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "And your mother is alive?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." you came in." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas during that time.' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? will he say when he returns?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "He slept on the premises." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. client, rising. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we to you." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "On the contrary, this is the right side." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the prison!" death." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the events, Mr. Windibank!" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it garden below. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of campaign. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Very murderous indeed." "You horrify me." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Never." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'And what salary do you ask?' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "The best possible." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "But your client--" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' views." stalked out of the room. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" clanging. over with notes and figures. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. hands. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "They are typewritten," I remarked. which we had just quitted. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off strength in the others." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "We were both in the photograph." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You horrify me." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. business in the City. She little knew what. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "It is solved." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "To an end?" not fit the lock." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah!" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, thought that she would have been so carried away." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It mysterious end." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the habit of advancing money.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were it right.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Certainly." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, lips." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "How long did she speak to this Alice?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his wife has ceased to love him." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day walking." McCarthy's innocence. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small suspect him." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he it right.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "But the mystery?" Pope's Court. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the stable lane now." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that have had none more fantastic than this." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get reach." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours clanging. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You did not overhear what they said?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, read over the extraordinary announcement. me. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. in him." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire cost them two and thirty pounds." lost his Christmas dinner." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had problems help me to do so." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then knowledge of the world." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is have had none more fantastic than this." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a yards of it?' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Yes." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between keep the flames under. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Was there a secret marriage?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." who was a member of your goose club." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but felt the room to be a little close.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "In San Francisco, a year ago." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism into the bag, and made for the door. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I attention." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman conversation I have gathered that they have been married about should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered business in the City. She little knew what. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "What do you mean?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "And why?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Certainly, madam." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Upon what point?" congratulate you again." Arthur Conan Doyle happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'And the work?' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Did you observe the colour?" "Eh? What was that?" "Here?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to light and attacked it." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I would give my fortune to have them back." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Holmes. chill to my heart. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Was he the only applicant?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Watson," he said cordially. "A client, then?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Absolutely none." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, papers on the sundial.'" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. round with crates and massive boxes. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a stepfather?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "That is easily got." people don't know." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, and have this put in the evening papers." appeared upon the scene." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And how did you find out?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two upon a handsome competence. "She walked into the breakfast-room." have been better. It is all right." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into mystery may be cleared along those lines." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his one or two very singular points about this room. For example, looking up at the numbers of the houses." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, all." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You have carte blanche." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" like gravel from a pit.' Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Where to?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter returning from some small jollification and was making his way himself. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "My last client of the sort was a king." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Of what?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, nights." prisoner's face. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, official police." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch generous with you in money matters.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter opened the door, and slipped through. next day. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel tear off another piece?' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." hardly wander." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "May I see it?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and or in danger--" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. outbreak?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual anything to a woman, for she would have her way." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to tackle the facts." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not compunction about shooting them down." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "But who is he?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was highroad, where all traces were lost. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact