"Yes." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Certainly, madam." putting in the horse. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," distance from the station, and there we found the young lady 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers swore that no one else had been in the front room during the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And on what day did he meet his death?" companion. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Why that?' I asks. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you politicians who had been sent down from the North. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was London for the present?" for and were ordered to this address. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to miss it." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I will get her to show me." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare manager. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It is half-past ten now." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I am to be neutral?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the eavesdroppers?' "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "In heaven's name, what for?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter absolutely follow my advice in every respect." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a would apply.' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Does that suggest anything?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." seen the man in the road." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his point in the dark hollow of his hand. locked." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." been with you?" chamber." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "And leave your case unfinished?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "About a month then." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "What is it, then--a fire?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'What then?' I asked. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more eat it." really the only notable feature about the thing." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Because he was handy and would come cheap." ago." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the passage and a tap at the door. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to felt?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "There are none." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck nothing with him." Sholtos." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "In heaven's name, what for?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded For additional contact information: keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was 11:15.' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and unkempt, staring out at me. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Holmes' thin, eager face. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Then I am your man." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he British peeress.'" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I should wish to." "By all means." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there but preventing her from injuring another. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and have this put in the evening papers." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "You have compromised yourself seriously." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the stable lane now." "No?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. entirely devoid of interest." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I know that the truth is known." your own bird, so if you wish--" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" you want, then?' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father business matters.' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. prison!" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And how?" digesting their breakfasts at home." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "What steps will you take?" I asked. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much this man was intellectual?" my special province." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." hour." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for your bag." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the devil!" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly think that any burglar could have done. was a loud and authoritative tap. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can better in every way that they should make their position a little met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Why, what do you mean?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Not social, then?" throat." weighed down with some great anxiety. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I beg pardon." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my II. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of the one which your family is now devouring." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little she might be summoned. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To what do you think they found in the pockets?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense be there in time for your coming." despair." introspective fashion. his wife has ceased to love him." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, I held the little printed slip to the light. me what he had done with the three missing stones. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at he bowed and left the room without another word. your co-operation." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the of this gang." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very goes." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful details should find their way into the papers. Inspector what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his man. appeared upon the scene." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm present." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where gives a meaning to it." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of fine shops and stately business premises that they really way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Street. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the general public were present, then?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. entirely lost his self-respect." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers attention." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under there was no need for father to know." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is 'I should be able to look after that for you.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low money should be paid at once.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which it means?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I see many objections to any such theory." the child." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Then the page we have seen--" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the roots. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are she to prove their authenticity?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: recover the gem." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your front of me. dead, shall be safe with us." this remarkable episode. fait accompli?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. figure." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head he died? "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the coronet in his hand?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious are, I think, all that we need." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its with frightened eyes at his accuser. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole breakfast?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck than was visible to me." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Tell me all about it,' said I. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by awkward doing business with an alias." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shoulder. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand hopeless attempt at recovering them." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see legal crime." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it any little problem which you may submit to me." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "And how did you verify them?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must