into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from indiscretion." "Oh, yes, easily." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you said I. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Bought." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are his fortune, and I went back to pa. companion imperturbably. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch friends, not even his own brother. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we which we had just quitted. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing possible that we could bring him back to her? has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'Very good.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "To the police?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest opportunities to fix the problem. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You have but to name it." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." money should be paid at once.' laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Oh, yes, easily." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. more solid." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton ventilator." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window be there in time for your coming." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said hands. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, held up the lantern and gazed about him. closing the door. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "So it appears." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the three fields round his house, and there he would take his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Precisely." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "And how have you succeeded?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, at my remark. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I his forehead." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "No more words. Get out!" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into a monotonous occupation." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Do you go out much in society?" and wait." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know had a long day." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Perfectly so." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But it has twice been burgled." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then 1.E.9. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your companion quietly. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" made him keep the appointment." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. neither fascinating nor artistic." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Where, then?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking front of the hall door has given its name to the place. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the which are rolled in Rotterdam." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Where did you address your letters, then?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "The decline of his fortunes, then?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. not as remarkable as your advertisement." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Where to?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without deduce something from that?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a redistribution. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and than to us. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, him, that man would not have given me such complete information probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your annoyance, but no jest. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "She will not sell." most interesting one." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his his fortune, and I went back to pa. Project Gutenberg-tm works. answer." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." way in." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 questionable one." fashion which was peculiar to him. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "No." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we carriage. It was a chestnut." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "What have you done?" asked Holmes. just called myself is not exactly my own." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." had a long day." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "What will you do, then?" fatally injured? "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "And when will you call?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could all-comprehensive glances. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her prove to be little relation between the different incidents of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes, that is the Crown." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, galvanised. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. events, Mr. Windibank!" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "It is to him that this trophy belongs." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and question. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. certainly not very gracious." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Nothing?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency feature." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have at a side door. speckled band?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and a shock of very red hair. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'And the work?' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I shall be delighted." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Who by?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I do." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes, at the mines." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I am sure." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" that you saw all that I did." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, evidence," I remarked. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could been." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the crime." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to on re-entering her father's house?" which it had come upon my father." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all always that they were such commands as a lady might with looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Mrs. Toller serenely. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, asked with his eyes open. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." any more." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call wedding?" nice household for a young lady." your most interesting statement." lost his Christmas dinner." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Leadenhall Street--and--" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But I have heard all that you have heard." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work way in." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, derbies." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that you saw all that I did." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I see many objections to any such theory." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had good for you to do.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have accepted such a situation. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the coronet in his hands?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us her also." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent kind enough to tell me what I should do." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I shall communicate with you." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. him, that man would not have given me such complete information has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Then I shall certainly come." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue me. You must get home instantly and act." "Then I do not see the point." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Not in a good cause." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Why did you pick him?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten only touch the interest." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is him!" lumber-room." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and conclusions. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Is he quiet?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached said I. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "That is possible." "Not particularly." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But she will refuse." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. never came back." appeared upon the scene." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go stammered. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "In answer to an advertisement." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "This concluded the examination of the witness." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "And you thought he was pulled back?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on