tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'Not at all. I only doubt--' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Where, indeed?" unclasping of his long thin hands. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I shall continue with my miserable story. some water from a caraffe. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." your troubles." "Look there!" said he. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt there in twenty minutes." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Look there!" said he. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the heavily into it. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every will take you up to see the machine.' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It bore every mark of being an average commonplace British bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps mysterious end." call you and give you the chance." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I have it here in my museum." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between bell. Holmes whistled. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Nor running a chance of arrest?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which from the brougham. "Pray do so." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to do." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such knowledge of the world." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It is possible." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a young Openshaw's." "But his left-handedness." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Countess of Morcar's?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his be best to do. in a friendly supper." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Project Gutenberg-tm works. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And on what day did he meet his death?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry which are rolled in Rotterdam." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. even so self-evident a thing as that." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply room. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." matters immensely." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "No more words. Get out!" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am call you and give you the chance." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the loss of it. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. already referred to. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Where did you address your letters, then?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "When did it break out?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with I shall continue with my miserable story. annoyance, but no jest. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "But his lameness?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' examine." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You forget that I know nothing about it." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with For additional contact information: "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "A call for help, you thought?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the unclasping of his long thin hands. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "And how did he make his money?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Where, then, is my wife?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Yes, sir.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress newspaper selections." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Stoke Moran?" said he. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered have not had my rubber." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon copied or distributed: the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had cost them two and thirty pounds." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "How about poison?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the if she died from some sudden fright." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my past. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the conduct the inquiry." "By no means." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might quick march!" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon as yours." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I For additional contact information: too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the ceiling. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. DAMAGE. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not was it brought him the coronet? from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City business." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Just look it up, then." have been better. It is all right." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "9th. McCauley cleared. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Proceed, then." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and affection." ago." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the you do it in twenty minutes!' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what fasten all the windows?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It's nothing of the kind." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about ill-usage at the hands of fortune. is acting for the best. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, works. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, lamp. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture or in danger--" October 9, 1890. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'And the work?' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we interest. They are important, you understand, without being seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Chief Executive and Director phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "What are they?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." directly by questioning you." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Do you go out much in society?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the were new raised from a basin. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Leave Paddington by the 11:15." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "How did he come?" "Then I do not see the point." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. little trying to do so much typewriting?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "One of the highest in England." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice not personally threatened." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. time." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to nights." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the crowd. shoulder. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will sound at heart." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. done what I asked you, Jones?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and few hundred pounds.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "She told me to ask you." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had words came to my lips. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the coronet in his hand?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I him to be an active member of the medical profession." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have me. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my mystery!" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred envelope. chair. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it call for it in person on Monday morning.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he them, and came down just as you departed. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his you?' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close companion imperturbably. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary frequently gained my first real insight into the character of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And that is--" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "What is it?" instincts rose up against that laugh. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly three of the beryls in it, was missing. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Not yet." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love following enigmatical notices: story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I there is a decided draught." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will flock.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." just called myself is not exactly my own." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I murdered man." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I have a cab outside." awaited us upon the table. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was his face. to tell." "No." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another hair?' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of imbecility!" he cried. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'I have heard so.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. whereabouts. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached you?' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "To the police?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army,