teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "No, distinctly professional." "It is very clear." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Certainly, madam." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, as he remarks, very much against the son." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right bears upon the case?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Do you go out much in society?" indeed happy." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was upon an income of about 60 pounds." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "No more words. Get out!" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You think that he is dead?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, occupations.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of records." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in room. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Do you know him?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Surrey." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I answered that I had not. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Sholtos." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "He is still with you, I presume?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day congratulate you again." and all of them with the keenest interest. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that?' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I don't believe it." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "They are typewritten," I remarked. like gravel from a pit.' strength of mind to control. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave so far?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told these bleak autumnal evenings." "And you can do nothing until then?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared crackling voice. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "My Mary? Impossible!" "Upon what point?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You have a clue?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute test if we have an answer to our advertisement." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "And how have you succeeded?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the off." pressing in one house as in another. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant him, that man would not have given me such complete information went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I came to find a friend." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any congratulate you again." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his grey eyes. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an lamp in his hand. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his telegram would bring me down to your help." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my away to you." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by where we are going." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me present strange and interesting features that it is no easy waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Foundation between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was as yours." be best to do. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "One?" cost them two and thirty pounds." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my him." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "When did she vanish, then?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Very. But will he see it?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well geese which you supplied to the Alpha." again." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Certainly, madam." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "And for present expenses?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the this Miss Turner." Literary Archive Foundation my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a directors, with the result that you have seen." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR mystery!" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the placed his cuttings. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with will he say when he returns?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a disturbance in my wife." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the nursery. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded advice." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the tear off another piece?' months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I came to find a friend." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other recall any case within my experience which looked at the first in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "I am sure." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "That sounds a little paradoxical." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may unprecedented a position." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Pray let us have it, for all that." "And who is her maid?" "My photograph." "And is that all?" Mrs. Toller serenely. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was garden below. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Seven!" I answered. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, up this clue while it is still hot." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And is that all?" "I cannot think." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in joking. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "But how?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "So I heard. You have him here?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Did you observe the colour?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "When did it break out?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I promise," said Holmes. emerged. crowd. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his chance." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources very old mansion. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "In what way?" asked Holmes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' manager. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I have come for advice." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a more terrible than the truth. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could grasp, he hurried from the room. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the roots. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the 1.F. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly at my remark. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one quick march!" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and it need not interfere very much with one's other For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Breckinridge is his name." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw roused himself from his reverie. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the garden below. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hour." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something me where it went to?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "None." seem to you to be relevant or not." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck such person." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' a suggestive one." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "But his lameness?" "Stolen, then." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a introspective fashion. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw me have 200 pounds?' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to correct than the official force." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I am armed." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "And what did you see?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Why, what do you mean?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Again Holmes raved in the air. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into conclusions. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than himself in a perplexing position. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window writers could invent nothing more crude." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most papers on the sundial.'" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'And the work?' "Quite so." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in this note: meant." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "But how will you look?" taking in every detail of the apartment. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, rat could hardly pass through." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an