If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Watson," he said cordially. footfalls from the street. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Then you may be so with me." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Always." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." go--none." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper galvanised. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried memory. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, chemical work which was so dear to him. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white directly by questioning you." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to until night should bring an explanation. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Perhaps I have." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Not him." think, you have already met." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "And help." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I served to weaken the effect. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to talk it over. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were searched, without anything being found which could incriminate scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "What then?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful presume?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive green of the new foliage. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. more solid." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden must compliment you." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the bed, and you in that chair." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "You have but to name it." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "He said that you could solve anything." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her anything to do with the matter?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' indiscretion." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and for its centre. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the south, for the country is more deserted there." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You passage and a tap at the door. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But she will refuse." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I answered that I had not. until night should bring an explanation. Eyford at 11:15.' she used." placed his cuttings. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found presented which may be striking and bizarre without being all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, crowd. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Yes, I have one waiting." it. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Yes." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Frequently." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to she to prove their authenticity?" any more." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It is no ordinary one." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I held the little printed slip to the light. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Where, then?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "But how will you look?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and inquire as to the address." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a must be when I saw the door open.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Holmes' thin, eager face. "Why did you pick him?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do was not a bird to be seen there. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Whose house is it?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I will try. What is it?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled questionable one." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "And how did he make his money?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Nothing." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Well." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to tackle the facts." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, ashen face. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "No." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in has little to do with my story." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." speckled band?" was a perfect sample of the class. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "It was." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation there were one or two details which were new to me. But the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted said he at last. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." himself in a perplexing position. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black humiliation." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a few minutes he said that it would be all right. chemical work which was so dear to him. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! which are rolled in Rotterdam." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until evidence," I remarked. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be public press." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned in my life." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery pound a week." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. night.' said he. "Pray do so." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." tear off another piece?' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with remarked. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and written. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be hurried away. to his chemical studies. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I should wish to." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for crime. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for suspect him." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel on in his house." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the over here." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under voice. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." there is a decided draught." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for congenial hunt. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings feature." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It missed him, then?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Where to?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who call you and give you the chance." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in you came in." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with nothing with him." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible What do you deduce from it?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be into the bag, and made for the door. corner of the building. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Breckinridge is his name." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "We must have a cab." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the nursery. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Won't it ring?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I do." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of it with the greatest attention. said Mr. Holder. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the ago." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "To an English lawyer named Norton." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'Ample.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as think, you have already met." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, be there in time for your coming." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Chief Executive and Director jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "I am still in the dark." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "In heaven's name, what for?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know call for protection in the marriage market, for the present third from London." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "No. What a strange idea!" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Always." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. think that he is innocent?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. just called myself is not exactly my own." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at least a fellow-countryman. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that down. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Holmes' thin, eager face. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits round with crates and massive boxes. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately dates and names. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'Certainly not. But why?' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Where, then?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but it." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and that he would see to anything that turned up. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Your sister is dead, then?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the lips." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I cannot imagine." be best to do. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through writing, and yet I know it well."