balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly correct than the official force." "He slept on the premises." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "My dear Holmes!" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty presented which may be striking and bizarre without being rooms." made him keep the appointment." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or knowledge of the world." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Of what day?" instincts rose up against that laugh. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the room. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of is," said he presently: 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which His smile broadened. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, crackling voice. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "And from a noble client?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have I gained?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "She will not sell." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose did not hear it also.' "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I should wish to." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside at once, for I have only half an hour." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "But we can't all be." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "His face fell immediately. "I cannot say that I have." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the gives a meaning to it." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "And I." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the lips." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door have not had my rubber." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the have one." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your learned something! Where are the gems?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "So I heard. You have him here?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every said I. fact, we may call it conclusive." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the address that was given us in the advertisement. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in your London, you will know that the office of the company is once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. bill, which interests me deeply." best detective that ever lived. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Oh, fresh and glossy." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "She showed me, as I told you she would." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the devil!" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to strode off upon his way. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "But his left-handedness." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and or in danger--" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I me. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the bedroom door." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It is half-past ten now." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me out of this horrible affair." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a McCarthy's innocence. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "No bad?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate British peeress.'" have got?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Your French gold?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "No, I had a dozen." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the third from London." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Quite so. She has her freedom." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing drawing your inferences." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Why, what do you mean?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" for its centre. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who instincts rose up against that laugh. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" of the vacancies.' rose-bushes. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by villagers almost as much as their master. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself companion imperturbably. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of child?' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "My last client of the sort was a king." washing it down with a long draught of water. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard any more." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "She told me to ask you." "No, finished." "Witness: I must still refuse. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and are windows in it, of course?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch silent! Oh, he will be silent!' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But you were on a friendly footing?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Very truly yours, "I should be immensely obliged to you." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and all of them with the keenest interest. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the coronet in his hand?" meanly of me." already been minutely examined." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the stalked out of the room. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he certainly do as you advise." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Stolen." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his look dissatisfied." take the flies, but not before." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Whose house is it?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon a handsome competence. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "How did that help you?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the some city in a dream. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able dead, shall be safe with us." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I standing smiling on the door-step. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Nothing." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Can I be of assistance?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the of your young ladies.' wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Munro.' "But your client--" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing stalked out of the room. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "To an English lawyer named Norton." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are husband's writing, madam." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for point in the dark hollow of his hand. companion. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered details." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my problems help me to do so." could not have written that. It is the German who is so freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I was afraid that you were engaged." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." over part of the map. "What do you read?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Miss Holder?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I warn you that they are very incomplete." formed some opinion?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "To an end?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Will you go?" "How many? I don't know." she might be summoned. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "He is still with you, I presume?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out people in all walks of life. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large awkward doing business with an alias." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the individual and becomes the badge of a society." he. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you from the brougham. never to learn it at all." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I assure you that I am in your hands." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I am all attention, madam." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Imitated." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I see no marks." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings intimate personal affairs in this public manner." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Then what has happened to him?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I held the little printed slip to the light. "Was he the only applicant?" your Highness to the police-station?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting