including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place lamp in his hand. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And what then?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" telegram would bring me down to your help." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, chill to my heart. "I cannot tell." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "And when will you call?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in not as remarkable as your advertisement." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was introspective fashion. "Yes, but only for you and me." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens would then never go into court at all." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Pray be precise as to details," said he. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave said he. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, room had already been engaged for us. spark where all is dark to me." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "My photograph." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'What, the red-headed man?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a monotonous occupation." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" purpose of examination. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." correct than the official force." said I. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking leave you to your papers for a little." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet me have 200 pounds?' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "In heaven's name, what for?" keep the flames under. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the had formerly been in part my own. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of future lives." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Entirely.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital note?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad have got?" third from London." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You are all wrong." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned answer." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Leadenhall Street--and--" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a once more. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you crowd. secret." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I promise," said Holmes. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Nothing." "What then?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "May I see it?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am your most interesting statement." "That is unusual in a young girl." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four works. See paragraph 1.E below. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always suggested at once that there must be a communication between the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he sneer upon his pale face. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the me what he had done with the three missing stones. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the you understand?" a little more before I quite committed myself. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the morning and make my own way in the world.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Holmes rather sternly. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of call you and give you the chance." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I have solved it." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight will he say when he returns?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He tied." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." undoubtedly my uncle's." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. it." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Certainly not.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit his face. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I will, Miss Turner." placed his cuttings. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time became a certainty. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "On your arm?" in my life." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding call it cruel." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was long narrative. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Have you good authority for what you say?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "That you are never beaten." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." his grey eyes. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "It is a murder, then?" there was no need for father to know." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I have hopes." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon was keenly on my guard against him. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and gbnewby@pglaf.org certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his eyes and forehead. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and up this clue while it is still hot." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I have a cab outside." come either from the window or the door. My attention was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Precisely." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hurried away. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable will not take me long to tell. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my results." as noiselessly as she had come. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Yes, it was gone.' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. for and were ordered to this address. here." and a shock of very red hair. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of several quiet little villages up there." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "And leave your case unfinished?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Not particularly." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever past. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I should be immensely obliged to you." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It entirely devoid of interest." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the nursery. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her would apply.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay someone who had been in Australia." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and an introduction to him?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of this gang." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have photograph a cabinet?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Certainly, madam." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist perplexity from it to my illustrious client. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. there was no need for father to know." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" himself in a perplexing position. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he guilty one." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you taking in every detail of the apartment. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It is possible." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Ten to two.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the like gravel from a pit.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which charge against him will break down." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the so far?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Quite sure, dad.' use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "But your client--" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I beg pardon." your co-operation." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, said he. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them people don't know." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I orange pips. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to tackle the facts." "Yes, certainly." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, redistribution. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and effective." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" you." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. stood on the top of it. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to other lovers by making love himself." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out