knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own British peeress.'" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The vague figure huddled up in the darkness. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest with frightened eyes at his accuser. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you http://www.gutenberg.net name is different." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident John Swain, of St. Augustine. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the photograph a cabinet?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and man. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, room had already been engaged for us. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? your room." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside married her." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Always." corner of the building. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You at my remark. "I will get her to show me." exactly what you advise." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the eavesdroppers?' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "One of the highest in England." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Then, how do you know?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who galvanised. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added companion quietly. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the loss of it. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "How can you tell that?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of instincts rose up against that laugh. skylight. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. did not hear it also.' had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate murdered man." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already tension within him. leave you to your papers for a little." yourselves in at night?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and should be taken.' "It is possible." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "That is easily got." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been child?' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Why, it's a dummy," said he. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, society." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business and the church but not where the lady lived." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences bedroom door." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to what is your own theory as to what took place?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a but preventing her from injuring another. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. daring than any effort of the imagination." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by really the only notable feature about the thing." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Did you observe the colour?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Thank you. Pray proceed." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at arrangements." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Nothing." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to affair. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied compunction about shooting them down." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them again, where I was soon asleep. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of client, rising. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which business." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." will be renamed. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in already referred to. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his mystery!" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and hour?' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' to have been novel and of interest." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of this gang." towards the blaze. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the child." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Foundation undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Not social, then?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "The gentleman I describe." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his cane at the bell-pull. "Here?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "What, then, did Peterson do?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I cannot imagine." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "What shall I do?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The will not take me long to tell. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And help." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an quickly through a disagreeable task. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. an introduction to him?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the forehead. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, her also." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Precisely so. But how--" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. despair." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes." during that time.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, as this. Pray let me have the details." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been them?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we me have 200 pounds?' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of touch that coronet?' "How on earth--" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the himself to hunt down. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under back into the street. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Serpentine Avenue. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the south-west, I see." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Yes." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so deduce something from that?" your billet.' touch that coronet?' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a matter." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not was keenly on my guard against him. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a be. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the been shamefully used." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the case-book, which he consulted. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which you for a few hours?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "No." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told unprecedented a position." "And you can do nothing until then?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Not yet." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Did he not advertise?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could letters?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Foundation in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the Assizes." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after way in everything. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one congenial hunt. meant." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a appeared upon the scene." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not advice." be. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion my little problems." roused himself from his reverie. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the general public were present, then?" depend upon your compliance." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, felt?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' and effective." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and straightened it out again. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "How often?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you." we went to search for him, face downward in a little since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Quite so." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "What will you do, then?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "No, I am descending." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you from you?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come remarked. "'Is purely nominal.' "I shall most certainly do so."