"It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the Assizes." "And what did you see?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "What?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had depend upon your compliance." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." deduce something from that?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance following enigmatical notices: more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "But you can know nothing of this?" certainly do as you advise." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted remarked. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and time." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit photograph?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the salesman. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and washing it down with a long draught of water. it right.' "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from which was all perfectly true. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate throat." "Yesterday." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to-morrow." "Then I shall certainly come." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low there." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Do you go out much in society?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Stolen." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a our word." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a annoyance, but no jest. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "No, I am descending." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." never came back." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is must be when I saw the door open.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And for present expenses?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes, the wine-cellar." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I fear not." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the arrangements." "And the murderer?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went fact, we may call it conclusive." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the suspect him." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been shall use the carriage to-night." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Why did you beat the pavement?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did gentleman's clothes. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of campaign. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "And Irene Adler?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the devil!" he. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to more solid." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I she might be summoned. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it even of instruction." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as directors, with the result that you have seen." weapon." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I held the little printed slip to the light. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per again." papers diligently of late, have you not?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fattened it expressly for you.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge train from Paddington which would bring you there at about finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Oh, no.' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. papers." "Was your sister dressed?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, with some details as to your case." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What are they?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before in this note: "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among fuss that is made over them." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had in my life." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'Yes, I promise.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I will do it." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the bed, and you in that chair." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. tell me that you intended to go into harness." before, for it was considerably after midnight. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. returning from some small jollification and was making his way rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over directly by questioning you." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Well?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not distinguish the words: unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At stalked out of the room. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and eat it." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning arms and began to sob in a high treble key. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one get her out of the way." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It is half-past ten now." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. residence of the great financier. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of felt the room to be a little close.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Married! When?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Sutherland. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Precisely." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "You have a clue?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements once more on the important position which you have been fortunate to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as quite distinctive." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors chambers. everything which you would wish to know." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not eat it." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was reach." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his handed it to him. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an highroad, where all traces were lost. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." that I am arrested." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful village inn over there?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Thank you. Pray proceed." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look past. south, for the country is more deserted there." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the best of training." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her already been minutely examined." to you." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very criminal. We have already had experience of such." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, salesman. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he her also." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He closing the door. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in photograph?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were your only hope of safety." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "How can you tell that?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. dates and names. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. so far?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Then I shall certainly come." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one was shining brightly. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a drove away. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel golden eyeglasses. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove secret." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Have you good authority for what you say?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No happened." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Yes." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "One?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "No, but the enclosure is." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, six. Come in!" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'Yes.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and I shall continue with my miserable story. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular begun to whiten, even as mine has." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person she might be summoned. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. miles off. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is solved." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and the church but not where the lady lived." "Nothing." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to footfalls from the street. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I approached. Where does the thing come from?' to surprise her." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the there was no need for father to know." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance answered with a sidelong glance. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom ways including including checks, online payments and credit card whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed that before taking the final step I should like to submit the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' might have a private word with us. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and it need not interfere very much with one's other by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is will he say when he returns?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. will take you up to see the machine.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. so far?" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of the way of danger. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting that, and I came down." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had wedding?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the legal crime." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Why did you beat the pavement?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already