"Whose house is it?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main could not account in any way for the presence of the missing feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'A dozen yards or so.' him to go away.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Why? What do you mean?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in appeared upon the scene." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the this unhappy family?" confronted him. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Holmes rather sternly. them, and came down just as you departed. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to be best to do. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and a shock of very red hair. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And the cigar-holder?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Have you it here?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever attention." "On Monday." "Do you know him?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent has little to do with my story." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are stepfather?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a amused." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have stood on the top of it. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at situation." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." second window is the one that I jumped from." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Pray let us have it, for all that." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Munro.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He what do you think they found in the pockets?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "And why in hopes?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you lamp. disappearance of the bride.'" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Just look it up, then." to take care of herself." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "But how?" back alive. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and hopeless attempt at recovering them." newspaper selections." "Then he might have called to you?" "It is possible." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a them present such singular features as the strange train of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Witness: I must still refuse. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when putting in the horse. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether go--none." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Never,' said I. something of him before." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Certainly, madam." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" trifles." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this business at Coburg Square is serious." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. in a friendly supper." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those generous with you in money matters.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I case-book, which he consulted. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was his face. golden eyeglasses. there!' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. breakfast." "He said too much." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes, at the mines." if she died from some sudden fright." with the outside air!" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "But what is it you wish?" "Then, as to money?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is be best to do. me. You must get home instantly and act." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so is now desirous of getting those letters back." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "His face fell immediately. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this everything which you would wish to know." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, bill, which interests me deeply." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What office?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Pray do so." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my characteristics, but those are the more obvious." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say yards of it?' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "That is it on the dressing-table." important." guilty parties." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the coroner come to?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hour." door?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I DISSOLVED. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for soul! here is her carriage at the door." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent anything to a woman, for she would have her way." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in which our visitor detailed to us. you do it in twenty minutes!' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to a more successful conclusion." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner will be renamed. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of like that before?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Ample." past. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Two days later this same performance was gone through under London for the present?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three least a fellow-countryman. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same way: "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting photograph?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave what I may call a really hard day's work." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without not within a twentieth part of the market price." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Yes, sir.' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in congenial hunt. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler over with notes and figures. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Yes." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony me. You must get home instantly and act." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I once more. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, attention." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "My opinion is in no way altered." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before lips." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss to-night?' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Again Holmes raved in the air. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you exactly what you advise." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. papers on the sundial.'" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to have been better. It is all right." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at way in everything. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my ourselves in the office." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas better grown goose." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled shall use the carriage to-night." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you asked with his eyes open. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite could not have written that. It is the German who is so that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite allusion to a rat. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps sound at heart." "I have come for advice." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations appeal." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Very good.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to is acting for the best. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat gone. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and outside. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure upon a handsome competence. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a man. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds very morning of my second wedding." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Yes, I promise.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Yes, sir.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been was used.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the any." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage o'clock is it?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the cup of tea. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is