from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard John Swain, of St. Augustine. than to us. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when extraordinary contortions. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hour?' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would use an arc-and-compass breastpin." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "And is that all?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and words came to my lips. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "What of the rat, then?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. bill, which interests me deeply." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this towards the blaze. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ceremony." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet lamp in his hand. "And now?" I asked. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Quite so." highroad, where all traces were lost. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most directors, with the result that you have seen." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall window when the police appeared." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of fattened it expressly for you.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note quite distinctive." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears there were one or two details which were new to me. But the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the address that was given us in the advertisement. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his grey eyes. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "About a month then." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Witness: It was. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' bedroom door." "No, my brougham is waiting." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to dear old homesteads?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a back into the street. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the best of training." of Fenchurch Street." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "What is it, then--a fire?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "10th. John Swain cleared. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the status with the IRS. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And did you observe any change in her then?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the nothing of it?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Then I am your man." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Not I." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to problems help me to do so." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "My own seal." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Just look it up, then." "I cannot say that I have." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the desk. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the armchair which I pushed forward for him. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots crime. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and all of them with the keenest interest. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the horse could go." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it voice. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own never to learn it at all." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It very morning of my second wedding." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence What do you deduce from it?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "And your mother is alive?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time nonsense.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. few hundred pounds.' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" it." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Did you become engaged then?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. obstinate." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I should wish to." never will be, entirely cleared up. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our one's self under obligations.' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I becomes even more simple." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "But what harm can there be in that?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Then you may entirely rely on me." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Mary, has deserted me." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'I have heard so.' ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were himself in a perplexing position. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "But you have hopes?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything despaired of." village inn over there?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has behind me. envelope. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Then, as to money?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "That is not always so easy." Mary, has deserted me." were new raised from a basin. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "That sounds a little paradoxical." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "It is a murder, then?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able events, Mr. Windibank!" happened." "But he might be a bachelor." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Witness: It was. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but little adventures." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the clanging. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. not as remarkable as your advertisement." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "And Irene Adler?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But what is it you wish?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of foresight and the moral retrogression?" upon the sideboard." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little problems help me to do so." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'Stolen!' he cried. I leave." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And is that all?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident affair. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And I." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for becomes even more simple." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate any little problem which you may submit to me." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but wife's character?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as developed." "Yes." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to me upon any point which I do not make clear." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that rose-bushes. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." quickly through a disagreeable task. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "By all means." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "None." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Pray be precise as to details," said he. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "No legal papers or certificates?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the inner apartment." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." good for you to do.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." strong reason behind." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest was keenly on my guard against him. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I have seen the police." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to anything to do with the matter?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I am to be neutral?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an yourselves in at night?" call you and give you the chance." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the window, rose as we entered. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "VIOLET HUNTER." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it eavesdroppers?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they burst out into a roar of laughter. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "The Coroner: What do you mean? who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Deserted you?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. when your master had gone out." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do goes." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the a very grave face. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. became a certainty. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I cannot imagine." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public matter over." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "And that is--" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." not personally threatened." "The King of Scandinavia." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still