few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "There is the writing." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and I shall be with you presently." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "How did you trace it, then?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Why, what do you mean?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Have you good authority for what you say?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is spark where all is dark to me." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and wait." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous straighten it?" "Was your sister dressed?" already been minutely examined." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and jewels which you have stolen?' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! DISSOLVED. the Assizes." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I cannot tell." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "You have the photograph?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper again on its way. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Pray let us have it, for all that." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his matter over." in my life." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin there were one or two details which were new to me. But the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was remarked. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful about. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'A dozen yards or so.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found fashion which was peculiar to him. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Very truly yours, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. hand, madam?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Yes." tapping his fingers upon the table. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'What then?' I asked. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I London for the present?" wanted for ourselves." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "And Irene Adler?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for asked. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare remarked. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black It may be so in this case, also." about. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "And it is--" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, I have one waiting." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, fuss that is made over them." British peeress.'" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Quite so." there in twenty minutes." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And is that all?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go I have it here in my museum." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the it right.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, disappearance of the bride.'" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a breakfast?" security.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained shadow pass over his face as I spoke. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the 11:15.' Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood For additional contact information: compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon closing the door. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "What steps will you take?" I asked. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I have hopes." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am yet." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. orange pips. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little where we are going." "'Very good.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and child?' not fit the lock." License. You must require such a user to return or ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Heh?' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, from Horsham." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the so-precious time, but come!' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes chamber." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Could he throw no light?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while tied." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax you found me to-night--and running through the front room she shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the bottom.' astonishment. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the he bowed and left the room without another word. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Not social, then?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the general public were present, then?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well, some hundreds of times." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open copied or distributed: "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It is very kind of you." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the overpowering excitement and concern. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the general public were present, then?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left window when the police appeared." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was face and glided from the room. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City said he. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and more solid." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "No legal papers or certificates?" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Well?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look appointment with me for six o'clock?" "How did you deduce the select?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a written, and locked the door of the office after me. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hour." Arthur Conan Doyle "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "9th. McCauley cleared. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Really! You surprise me." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You have carte blanche." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Absolutely none." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "But who is he?" said he at last. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Then you may entirely rely on me." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said depend upon your compliance." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "This photograph!" the tragedy. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the strength." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "In the cells." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban habit of advancing money.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the about. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Certainly." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that threaten you." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the nothing with him." "He might." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important questionable one." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Have you good authority for what you say?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'In my own bureau.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, some terrible trap for her." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Dr. Becher's." "I have hopes." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Is he quiet?" and looked back. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he case-book, which he consulted. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And what did you see?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Then he might have called to you?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already my secret was safe in his possession. sofa. This way, please!" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, photograph?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and laid it on the table. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off one of the states of the Union." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' know all about it," he snarled. the house with me." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "How can you tell that?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What will you do, then?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have accepted such a situation. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fatally injured? posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), been anything against him. He had for years been known as a in him." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, yes, easily." leaning back in his chair. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, skylight. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a for the market.' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone key turn in the lock." over part of the map. "What do you read?" help us in this matter." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ nothing with him." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the address that was given us in the advertisement. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Lee, in the county of Kent." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I came to find a friend." disappearance of these gems?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "It is half-past ten now." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you one's self under obligations.' in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the our word." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when this unhappy family?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal and the colonel ushered me in. had picked up in the wood. points to suicide?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Where to?' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "To ruin me." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled ill-usage at the hands of fortune. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Miss Holder?" said he at last. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, that is the Crown."