behind me. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more you in your example." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the residence of the great financier. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "One horse?" interjected Holmes. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of events, Mr. Windibank!" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We bell. Holmes whistled. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing strength of mind to control. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was me have 200 pounds?' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. himself to tell his story. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true do you make of it all?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." least a most suspicious remark." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I will get her to show me." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Where to?' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than kindly on the shoulder. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." introspective fashion. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and acted in my house last night?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the way: But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new this truth that in these little records of our cases which you have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes, it would be as well." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently depend upon your compliance." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded come either from the window or the door. My attention was relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly relief. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists at home. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw were new raised from a basin. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "She showed me, as I told you she would." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I am armed." had this final quarrel? he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates ashen face. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "But his left-handedness." indeed happy." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is prison!" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand prisoner's face. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a cigar and let me expound." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Gutenberg-tm License. you give your casting vote to?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Why did you pick him?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson obstinate." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he ill-usage at the hands of fortune. whether it answered to the description of any of their fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend how narrow had been my escape. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." child?' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. were wasted." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Certainly, madam." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "And you don't know his address?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and chemical work which was so dear to him. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, into the bag, and made for the door. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six thin, with a long, sharp nose?" his forehead." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Very murderous indeed." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that situation." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said manager. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally photograph?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were my special province." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the six. Come in!" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the it." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel when your master had gone out." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it constraint." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Eh? What was that?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third very peculiar words of the dying woman?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a danger is over." "We were both in the photograph." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us she to prove their authenticity?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in this way: your room." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." him and tried to hold him back. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I indiscretion." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "At what time?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the there is a decided draught." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you third from London." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the child." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Perhaps I have." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Pool. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, that I can to serve you." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had said he. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "It is solved." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of Fenchurch Street." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old memory. "What!" he roared. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room that I am arrested." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for indeed happy." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the very morning of my second wedding." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in present." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Of what day?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit soul! here is her carriage at the door." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is man. I know him from the photograph." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Yes, it would be as well." conduct the inquiry." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an breakfast." and no precautions can guard against." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of in this note: be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Proceed, then." the coronet in his hand?" never to learn it at all." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon as he folded up the epistle. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; redistribution. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But the mystery?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without upon a handsome competence. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of presume?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Bought." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the bell. Holmes whistled. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I desk. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "He slept on the premises." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there me have 200 pounds?' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's again, where I was soon asleep. will be renamed. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was letters?" a room. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "This photograph!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our fashion which was peculiar to him. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Absolutely none." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I had died away into the silence from which it rose. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been telegram would bring me down to your help." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of where we are going." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Absolutely none." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "There is the writing." "What can it mean?" I gasped. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of said he. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shag which I had seen upon the previous night. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was so far?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the inquest, and which are worth considering." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Not in a good cause." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'Then let me do so?' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me means taking possession of that which another person has a prior reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his intrusion of other matters." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for