to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the occupations.' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at least a fellow-countryman. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to come either from the window or the door. My attention was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the little opening for the ventilator is." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Whose house is it?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "This photograph!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely some city in a dream. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'How far from the body?' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked depend upon your compliance." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the running down." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." joking. I shall continue with my miserable story. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and if she died from some sudden fright." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Where, then?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Does that suggest anything?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Pray continue your narrative." "Did you observe the colour?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." character. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to you." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the noble correspondent could be. Eyford." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Farm upon the left." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed an introduction to him?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to talk it over. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I think that I had better go, Holmes." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I shall be delighted." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "How often?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Murdered?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Then you may entirely rely on me." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free most interesting one." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for woven round him. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured exactly what you advise." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "He disappeared so suddenly." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Where, indeed?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face them, and came down just as you departed. "But the mystery?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were experiences." such person." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Then the page we have seen--" "No, thank goodness, she did not." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "What can it mean?" I gasped. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my any more." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated coroner's jury." I was concerned in it." "Has he come with you to-night?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who gone. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy acquaintance?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Watson," he said cordially. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may hour?' "None." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I see no marks." it means?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice fact, we may call it conclusive." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Pray be precise as to details," said he. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the ceiling. "No." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "It came here." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Get out!" said he. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of before, for it was considerably after midnight. appointment with me for six o'clock?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building simple cases which are so extremely difficult." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was memory. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from said I. memory. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the away into the river." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen once more. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Was he the only applicant?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." was feeling which was the fattest.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yes, certainly." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you pictures, libraries, or plate. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and round and wave him away like that.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all overpowering excitement and concern. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the colour had been driven from his face. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And why?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the such person." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less did not hear it also.' "On your arm?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gone before you can get him to hospital." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement you give your casting vote to?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from writer." hour." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have easy-going way." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a newspaper selections." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. gone. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement little adventures." "And the murderer?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Your presence might be invaluable." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out some terrible trap for her." over with notes and figures. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and status with the IRS. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my http://www.gutenberg.net husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave written. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very was a perfect sample of the class. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I eavesdroppers?' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove became a certainty. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little sofa. This way, please!" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, all that?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly note?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "How can you tell that?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your thirty. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning your Highness to the police-station?" occupations.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "And is that all?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent there is a decided draught." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Foundation few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag me what he had done with the three missing stones. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven leaning back in his chair. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I think that I could be of assistance to you." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Very truly yours, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "But your client--" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Stoke Moran?" said he. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To relief. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Really! You surprise me." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You think so, too?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Where, then?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had out of this horrible affair." I nodded to show that I had heard. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Won't it ring?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Literary Archive Foundation Stoke Moran." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this you?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have might help us?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "In the cells." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, next day.