whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Entirely." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, distinguish the words: is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not companion quietly. over part of the map. "What do you read?" be best to do. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said developed." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was felt the room to be a little close.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the looking up at the numbers of the houses." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does heavy and sharp instrument." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just least a most suspicious remark." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon roused himself from his reverie. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "And how did you verify them?" the nursery. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wedding?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Serpentine Avenue. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have present strange and interesting features that it is no easy if only as a check to my own memory." "To an English lawyer named Norton." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have once more on the important position which you have been fortunate him to go away.' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I think that it is very probable." "I would give my fortune to have them back." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were client, rising. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little forehead. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass DAMAGE. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." photograph?" was feeling which was the fattest.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger infinite languor in his face. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to miss it." door?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that papers diligently of late, have you not?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I will get her to show me." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the father's place of business?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. train.' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United her also." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "How are you getting on?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, what these perils are?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "My Mary? Impossible!" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing once more. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a returned to France?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to crime." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I have seen the police." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I know where it is." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" your co-operation." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill letters?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Thank you. Pray proceed." upon an income of about 60 pounds." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and not personally threatened." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "By no means." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself breakfast." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of front of me. could not have written that. It is the German who is so girl said." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "And you don't know his address?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so papers must be those that are destroyed.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin present." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The get her out of the way." "And that is--" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "What do you mean?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away useful material for showing traces. The double line a little office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Well." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the I shall communicate with you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he American. Then who could this American be, and why should he clang of the bell. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most here and I will read it to you: tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." at once, for I have only half an hour." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "We have tried and failed." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think down from London to inquire more deeply into it." his grey eyes. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of hereditary King of Bohemia." "'I have heard so.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, coroner's jury." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which me upon any point which I do not make clear." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take help us in this matter." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the been shamefully used." "It is no ordinary one." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "What can it mean?" I gasped. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "What do you make of that, Watson?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the stones. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the unprofitable." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp towards the blaze. "We were both in the photograph." mystery." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I was sure that I might rely on you." that, and I came down." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Then, as to money?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You have compromised yourself seriously." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yes, they were peculiar boots." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a chemical work which was so dear to him. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him ashen face. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as standing smiling on the door-step. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any off." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she God! What an exposure! What can I do?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be future lives." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then fire. You quite follow me?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door me what he had done with the three missing stones. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of receipt of the work. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You have the photograph?" "Yes." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I noble correspondent could be. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the for the market.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Dirty?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me felt?" "Eh? What was that?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "At the wedding breakfast." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the date of his supposed suicide." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "You have compromised yourself seriously." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to envelope. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, delirious. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should about here speaks of his kindness to him." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "He is still with you, I presume?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Count Von Kramm." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." strong reason behind." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of your bag." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that ran thus: fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to any more." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your envelope. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of article?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of families. Now for the facts. that he will be back before evening." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And you don't know his address?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Henry Baker is a member." definite end. desk. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "A thing like a cleaver," said he. stepfather?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin London for the present?" "'I have already given you my word.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And when will you call?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." existence." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since than was visible to me." long narrative. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an o'clock is it?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would arrested. You then--" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up noise which awoke you from your sleep?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have think you a quite exceptional woman." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I am following you closely," I answered. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen,