"There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" in this note: which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Does that suggest anything?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have seen the police." his face which made him a very different person to the round, yards of it?' ago." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the it means?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Mary, has deserted me." be. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I have come for advice." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "And for present expenses?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him was a loud and authoritative tap. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the coroner come to?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander absorbing." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the matter?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. it right.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any seen the man in the road." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Certainly." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "So I heard. You have him here?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. anything to do with the matter?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes, from Horsham." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and be. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Where, then, is my wife?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. during that time.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "My stepfather's business papers." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see touch that coronet?' of it with the greatest attention. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, already referred to. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless was a perfect sample of the class. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella silent! Oh, he will be silent!' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with might help us?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Ha! you find it so?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back definite end. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Gutenberg-tm License. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing placed his cuttings. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sofa. This way, please!" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in my special province." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Have you her photograph?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without indeed happy." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Yes, he did." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Mrs. Toller serenely. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" allusion to a rat. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of to arrive at through this?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and all of them with the keenest interest. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the morning." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am was it brought him the coronet? "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had business?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But it has twice been burgled." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it your sleep?' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Not social, then?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his tension within him. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which as yours." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, your bag." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "What shall I do?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss man. I know him from the photograph." money should be paid at once.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something During two years I have had three consultations and one small considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to problems help me to do so." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found breakfast." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something arms and began to sob in a high treble key. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to my secret was safe in his possession. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for held up the lantern and gazed about him. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking even so self-evident a thing as that." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are companion. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Witness: Nothing definite. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at interest. They are important, you understand, without being "My opinion is in no way altered." "She walked into the breakfast-room." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be kindly on the shoulder. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the over part of the map. "What do you read?" when your master had gone out." "Entirely." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "How on earth--" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He thought that she would have been so carried away." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. system of imprisonment?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up 'I should be able to look after that for you.' call you and give you the chance." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. them?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to in a very precise fashion." persecution?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'I have heard so.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Yes, from Horsham." husband's writing, madam." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the night.' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Leadenhall Street--and--" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the from you?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from fat-encircled eyes. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to change my dress. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange mysterious business." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly throat." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Just look it up, then." any more." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America guilty parties." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he round with crates and massive boxes. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret interest. They are important, you understand, without being the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my orange pips. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'There is a drive, then?' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "That is unusual in a young girl." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "You have the photograph?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the morning." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in not personally threatened." "There is the writing." the best of training." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Two days later this same performance was gone through under stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending despair." "By all means." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might father's place of business?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again over with notes and figures. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "The doctor?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right ventilator." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I would pay ten." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have his cane at the bell-pull. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my brain must have something in it." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir me. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "How on earth--" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "When did she vanish, then?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Mrs. Toller serenely. fled together." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That is possible." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said 1.F. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You forget that I know nothing about it." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'About the same.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ran thus: "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "About a month then." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Never." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the stones. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Which are?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." leave you to your papers for a little." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" your billet.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. floor. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Texas, I think." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "My last client of the sort was a king." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'You cannot say what it was?' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can It may be so in this case, also." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three she might be summoned. "Yes, but only for you and me." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It missed him, then?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of bird I ate is country bred." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a will be renamed. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Did you become engaged then?" writers could invent nothing more crude." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as thin, with a long, sharp nose?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself,