corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Where to?' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Where to?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most morning." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that?' official police." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems do you make of it all?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Indeed! Whose, then?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, drove away. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Entirely." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by dates and names. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together what do you think they found in the pockets?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You have it, sir, just as it happened." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your it with his own hands." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One this Miss Turner." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am clanging. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, hands. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "What then?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I don't say that. Perhaps." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "My private note-paper." "Nothing." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "It was an hour's good drive." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, that you saw all that I did." vault. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate that I am arrested." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of it with the greatest attention. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to tell." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "No. His orders were to stay in the house." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Witness: Nothing definite. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Always." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from any." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And now?" I asked. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "How did you trace it, then?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the side-table." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales in a very precise fashion." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand your billet.' taking in every detail of the apartment. the stable lane now." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at never will be, entirely cleared up. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said intrusion of other matters." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and said he. have one." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had picked up in the wood. trifles." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one you for a few hours?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Why serious?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, but the enclosure is." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' his huge brown hands. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable key turn in the lock." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not outside. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is call for it in person on Monday morning.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "My opinion is in no way altered." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "His face fell immediately. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the nursery. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A light and attacked it." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Indeed! Whose, then?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Did you become engaged then?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "It's nothing of the kind." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any there were one or two details which were new to me. But the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "She walked into the breakfast-room." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "But you have hopes?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, fact, we may call it conclusive." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "What, then?" vault. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Was she in good spirits?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their when your master had gone out." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And it is--" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I say it is." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, arrested. You then--" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It came here." fact, we may call it conclusive." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to walking." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I have hopes." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must opened a pocket-book and took out a note. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For bonnet, and went out." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "But what will you do?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and a shock of very red hair. used to be." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in carpenter." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "None. Neville wrote those words." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "It is half-past ten now." "'There is a drive, then?' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of there has been an enclosure here!" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" business." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "My photograph." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I beyond words. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." shall not find me ungrateful." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I have come for advice." them?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to gone. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "No bad?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Most admirably.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and and capable of preserving a secret.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Where did he live, then?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Where could I find him?' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Yes, sir.' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It was." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Really! You surprise me." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which undoubtedly my uncle's." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one your bag." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock that there was nothing in it, after all." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my man. again." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "To an English lawyer named Norton." Holmes' room. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a maiden herself was most instructive." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'You cannot say what it was?' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on sit on the left-hand side of the driver." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE http://gutenberg.net/license). resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite light and attacked it." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. the running down." fuss that is made over them." "Nothing." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood noise which awoke you from your sleep?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been telegram would bring me down to your help." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Why, what do you mean?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything was a lad." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I allusion to a rat. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side written. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and all of them with the keenest interest. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling