"He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It is half-past ten now." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Holmes, the busybody!" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "A call for help, you thought?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I have hopes." fatally injured? which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "No more words. Get out!" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "And it is--" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was lame." "My own seal." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Here?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin had this final quarrel? he died? "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'I am sure if I had known--' "And how?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only weapon." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Won't it ring?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with indeed which he could not unravel. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time in the dead of the night?' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two upon a handsome competence. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside must compliment you." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining used to be." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What then?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a stalked out of the room. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than in this note: "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Yes." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Stolen, then." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Yes." "Then, how do you know?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy see a sister of mine apply for." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "He slept on the premises." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my DAMAGE. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Stolen." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, so far?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, other lovers by making love himself." "But to whom?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that ashen face. answered with a sidelong glance. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a way in everything. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I should like to see him very much." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Yes, but only for you and me." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' there." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH I approached. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If gives a meaning to it." door?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" indeed which he could not unravel. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "He said that you could solve anything." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must which I could not give. He asked for Alice. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little States. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you your own bird, so if you wish--" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg to a light-house. "Where did he live, then?" other means.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. into the room. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. hopeless attempt at recovering them." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Does that suggest anything?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all an introduction to him?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a during which he might have communicated with his friend the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were affair. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said heavy and sharp instrument." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as present." my little problems." stepfather?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our presume?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Witness: It was. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between main points of my analysis." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where something of him before." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, him to go away.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Entirely." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have records." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Clair, of Lee." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, there has been an enclosure here!" at a side door. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the such attractions and accomplishments?' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no married her." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is bled considerably." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" occurred." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he shall use the carriage to-night." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic depend upon my doing so.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were tied." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are III. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "What, then?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the stones. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But I am all in the dark." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hurried by. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the becomes even more simple." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "My dear Holmes!" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the unprecedented a position." away into the river." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur money should be paid at once.' "What do you mean?" respectable self." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. strength of mind to control. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be carried out of court." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "How on earth--" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She retorted upon me, and I on you." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it developed." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "And how in the world did you find them?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the made his money." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "This photograph!" to-morrow." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a bears upon the case?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "What! Had he lost his wife?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "I have a cab outside." chemical work which was so dear to him. main points of my analysis." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about pound a week." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Yes." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to affect your life." "He is still with you, I presume?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'Which dealer's?' to-night?" I asked. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, instituted." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of Fenchurch Street." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You are hungry," I remarked. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the conduct the inquiry." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "How did you deduce the select?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old feature." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a unclasping of his long thin hands. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Seven!" I answered. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the narrative." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Leave Paddington by the 11:15." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, your room." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: indiscretion." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, strode off upon his way. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. lost his Christmas dinner." empty. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Do you go out much in society?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your silent! Oh, he will be silent!' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I have solved it." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Why did you pick him?" pierced for earrings?" photograph?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "So it appears." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the