that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the morning and make my own way in the world.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and next day. "So it appears." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Very well, sir. And this stone?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the a suggestive one." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, shall not find me ungrateful." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I am in hopes that she does." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is of." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' respectable self." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the his fortune, and I went back to pa. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Never." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap go from here to the Strand." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Most admirably.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and said I. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" photograph?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out letters?" case-book, which he consulted. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Stoke Moran?" said he. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." for its centre. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and have this put in the evening papers." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "One horse?" interjected Holmes. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Lestrade of Scotland Yard." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," character. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful since then to throw any light upon what became of him." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have always that they were such commands as a lady might with About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Ten to two.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a tied." seven miles from Eyford Station.' he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "No, finished." peculiar to him. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And what did you learn from him?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "But it has twice been burgled." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Well." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "It is a murder, then?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to bare slabs of marble. "Certainly." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "My private note-paper." is so. I know all about McCarthy." upon the shelf for the interim." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "And Irene Adler?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I held the little printed slip to the light. are, I think, all that we need." "Her father is very rich?" corner of the building. three fields round his house, and there he would take his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the coronet at all injured?" already been minutely examined." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I have hopes." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of humiliation." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but noise which awoke you from your sleep?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. way in everything. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Lee, in the county of Kent." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to at a side door. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had to his chemical studies. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Mary, has deserted me." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "What will you do, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning over here." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." see me here to avoid scandal." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But to whom?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of Fenchurch Street." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you posted to-day." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the Assizes." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. if only as a check to my own memory." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am in hopes that she does." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." rooms." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle them?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I through." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may works. See paragraph 1.E below. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined without success. At last the little money which I had saved began exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "And for present expenses?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "He said that you could solve anything." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "The Cedars?" companion quietly. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. your Highness to the police-station?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "No legal papers or certificates?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, intrusion of other matters." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't such attractions and accomplishments?' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Nothing." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an business matters.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as behind me. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the back to my heart. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "What office?" indeed happy." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "But how?" any little problem which you may submit to me." gone. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is now desirous of getting those letters back." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "On your arm?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." memory. a monotonous occupation." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the very morning of the wedding." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him are, I think, all that we need." lamp in his hand. occurred." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but salesman. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. own family. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It came here." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Absolutely none." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has me have 200 pounds?' ourselves in the office." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Where does the thing come from?' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the face and glided from the room. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. been." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I have seen the police." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," just called myself is not exactly my own." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner front of me. "It is possible." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ventilator." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little existence." "By no means." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to be. "No more words. Get out!" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I our word." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Street. "A call for help, you thought?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. sufficient punishment." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began it." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the it means?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the noting anything else of interest. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "The doctor?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "I am in hopes that she does." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt have accepted such a situation. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, manager. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "In answer to an advertisement." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the him." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Ten to two.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand you for a few hours?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, obstinate." "Perhaps we may make them less so." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, disappearance of these gems?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which