matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "And that is--" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of is," said he presently: the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fire. You quite follow me?" "The murder was done with it." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Could he throw no light?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so father's young wife. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding call for it in person on Monday morning.' reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I am armed." one else, I think." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "To an English lawyer named Norton." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Very. But will he see it?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these weapon." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I visitors." "The best possible." open." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, there was no need for father to know." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I she used." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, yet." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with you?' with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Of what?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the sake, don't!" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than could gather together that I was able to avert another public vanished into the darkness. "But it has twice been burgled." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by written, and locked the door of the office after me. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was used.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time walking." three of the beryls in it, was missing. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Precisely." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "In San Francisco, a year ago." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down are windows in it, of course?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a know that the truth is known." Watson," he said cordially. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "At what time?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "So I have heard." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. that I am arrested." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior This is what he says: "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in this note: "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was there!' is now desirous of getting those letters back." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive thin legs towards the fire. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "You have but to name it." "Quite so." "What have you to say now?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Whose house is it?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive outbreak?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "How did he come?" my little problems." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the copied or distributed: glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the iron safe, which he closed upon it. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the off." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I guessed as much." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of been." affair. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a over part of the map. "What do you read?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must be. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to way: tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at remarked. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "My own seal." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. have accepted such a situation. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to tackle the facts." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a you in your example." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I am in hopes that she does." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled off." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'As governess?' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so For additional contact information: "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." affair. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Breckinridge is his name." to affect your life." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." visitors." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You that he has suffered." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "But what is it you wish?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. note?" of Fenchurch Street." taking in every detail of the apartment. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "We have tried and failed." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "That is unusual in a young girl." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which cigars in their mouths. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you out." direction." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "What?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "What I expected to see." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been events than those which have happened in my own family." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "She showed me, as I told you she would." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "10th. John Swain cleared. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." bachelor.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through of Mr. Rucastle's." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR pierced for earrings?" again, where I was soon asleep. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "ARAT," I read. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court entirely devoid of interest." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I answered that I had not. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a one else, I think." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must you do it in twenty minutes!' better grown goose." sooner or later she must fall a victim. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "What, then, did Peterson do?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, if only as a check to my own memory." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Certainly." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "On your arm?" problems help me to do so." you in your example." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a my special province." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the been deceived." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking whether it answered to the description of any of their save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "None." murdered man." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "And I." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this letters?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a all-comprehensive glances. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not point in the dark hollow of his hand. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, room?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, him." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, as the one I chose?' friend's singular character. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one spare." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my husband's writing, madam." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sound at heart." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. again." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled works. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. which are rolled in Rotterdam." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the driver. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "How did that help you?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; excitement. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, locked." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Foundation Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall