"Do you know him?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from head. So long, then!" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "The doctor?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties distinguish the words: pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' prison!" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he face and glided from the room. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Holmes." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the careless servant girl?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And that is--" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than second window is the one that I jumped from." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I assure you that I am in your hands." at my remark. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "But how did you gain them?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three than was visible to me." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Pope's Court. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "That was it, sir." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of clanging. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Frequently." "Imitated." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker wanted for ourselves." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of touch that coronet?' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my details." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord would apply.' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "No. His orders were to stay in the house." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "How can you tell that?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "My Mary? Impossible!" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by is a common subject for conversation. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Leadenhall Street--and--" furiously. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in a room. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of into the bag, and made for the door. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of read over the extraordinary announcement. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside at once, for I have only half an hour." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless colonel looking down at me. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. felt?" events, Mr. Windibank!" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. daring than any effort of the imagination." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" point in the dark hollow of his hand. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in persecution?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales one of them." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have is four-and-twenty." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. there." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. depend upon your compliance." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular happened." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Which dealer's?' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous retorted upon me, and I on you." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the unprecedented a position." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "In which, sir?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "We have tried and failed." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he it. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' one's self under obligations.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang searched, without anything being found which could incriminate chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" depend upon your compliance." for securing the situation." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it come either from the window or the door. My attention was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have other means.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest had this final quarrel? was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my morning." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in correct than the official force." returned to France?" "'Certainly,' I answered. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And what did you see?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and it need not interfere very much with one's other so far?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity chance." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" done what I asked you, Jones?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend acted in my house last night?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been business in the City. She little knew what. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "No, I am descending." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "You have compromised yourself seriously." lumber-room." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, our word." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at place of silver." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You have it, sir, just as it happened." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the What do you deduce from it?" "It is very clear." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I leave." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend nothing with him." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Not in a good cause." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "But not more so than I to find you." key turn in the lock." if I call to-morrow?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his individual and becomes the badge of a society." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by a room. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "The best possible." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the best of training." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, relief. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal observed. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Where did you address your letters, then?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'You doubt its value?' he asked. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Have you it here?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "A call for help, you thought?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And Irene Adler?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No, I think that I'll take it." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense not personally threatened." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The trifles." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off photograph?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "To an end?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "And I." "That's no good." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on because she had spent so short a time in this country that she these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the sofa. This way, please!" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, you." "No more words. Get out!" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'In my own bureau.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair been with you?" woven round him. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the very letters. But what is this written above them?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Stoke Moran." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan himself. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. morning." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Leadenhall Street--and--" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the is," said he presently: his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of 11:15.' They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Where did you address your letters, then?" excitement. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "No, my brougham is waiting." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of with you alone." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as outside. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I came to find a friend." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away main points of my analysis." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "My stepfather's business papers." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then, how do you know?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the money should be paid at once.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "No?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands interested in these little problems, and since you are good in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." locked."