together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "My private note-paper." "Yes." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Nearly eleven." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Nothing?" narrative." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I of receipt of the work. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster or other trace. But how on earth--" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Was the window open?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Here?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both The telegram which we eventually received came late one night you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Pray do so." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Did you become engaged then?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I will try. What is it?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have man. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot rose-bushes. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Only as much as we can deduce." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the coronet in his hand?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" served to weaken the effect. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is from the brougham. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the not personally threatened." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended During two years I have had three consultations and one small He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' there." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Your presence might be invaluable." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "What steps will you take?" I asked. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Why? What do you mean?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice indeed happy." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I would give my fortune to have them back." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the next day. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the outside." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping could gather together that I was able to avert another public have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple him and tried to hold him back. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Chief Executive and Director "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "And what did you learn from him?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I am following you closely," I answered. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to my room." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Really! You surprise me." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But how will you look?" joking. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing in the dead of the night?' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "On your arm?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows room?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and know that the truth is known." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in writers could invent nothing more crude." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the will take you up to see the machine.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the south-west, I see." business came to an end." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "No." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ready to-morrow?' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told annoyance, but no jest. his knees, staring into the fire. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of this gang." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "You were travelling in the States?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing girl said." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "My own seal." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'What do you call purely nominal?' undoubtedly my uncle's." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the think, you have already met." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Texas, I think." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's what I may call a really hard day's work." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that you can jump it.' "Eh? What was that?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my had picked up in the wood. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No, I had a dozen." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." lamp in his hand. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were instituted." "Then, how do you know?" direction." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that I am arrested." "Nothing?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Stoke Moran?" said he. whether it answered to the description of any of their the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an papers must be those that are destroyed.' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there happened." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the his wife has ceased to love him." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the burst out into a roar of laughter. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove questionable one." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "The murder was done with it." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "ARAT," I read. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt information in his hands the value of which he did not himself get her out of the way." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the one as in the other." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Where is it, then?" have accepted such a situation. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It is true that I have been generally successful." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Not particularly." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Frequently." people don't know." and capable of preserving a secret.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," newspaper selections." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Were they all fastened this morning?" the side-table." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without is," said he presently: overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and more solid." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Of what?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an brain must have something in it." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "You have the photograph?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It's nothing of the kind." the inner apartment." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed ordinary clothes on?" fire. You quite follow me?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in if I call to-morrow?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that are, and they are waiting for us." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Well?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took something of him before." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "But your client--" my special province." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hurried by. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that house for five minutes.' through." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his placed his cuttings. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "What will you do, then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." your bag." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. third from London." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then suggested at once that there must be a communication between the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was in him." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of present." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. which it had come upon my father." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and it need not interfere very much with one's other It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will pressing in one house as in another. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the general public were present, then?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our lids now and glanced across at his visitor. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Which are?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got use an arc-and-compass breastpin." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might indeed happy." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which for and were ordered to this address. "What steps will you take?" I asked. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What do you mean?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" said I. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault present strange and interesting features that it is no easy months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the certainly do as you advise." "How did he come?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And why?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Yes, I have one waiting." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "And now?" I asked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm 11:15.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. closely." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'Certainly,' I answered. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Have you her photograph?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Yes, that is the Crown." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "What then?" rooms." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to husband's writing, madam." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his you?' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a bell. Holmes whistled. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the