upon a handsome competence. I have it here in my museum." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of ago." undoubtedly my uncle's." later, upon the night of May 2nd." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were locked." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and I shall be with you presently." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I my secret was safe in his possession. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "A call for help, you thought?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned do.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the man. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my crime. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter from the brougham. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "None." observed. "Then what has happened to him?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did off." about. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. clang of the bell. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you his huge brown hands. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon were unconscious?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "What have you to say now?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an until night should bring an explanation. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress himself to tell his story. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of there in twenty minutes." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had you found me to-night--and running through the front room she other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "None." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was ventilator." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is very clear." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the yet." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Foundation the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case yards of it?' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And I to find an enemy." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You have a clue?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "My dear Holmes!" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "None." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you writing, and yet I know it well." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." man. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she before, for it was considerably after midnight. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I me. You must get home instantly and act." me upon any point which I do not make clear." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between points to suicide?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Never." there when the Rucastles went away." you do it in twenty minutes!' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate annoyance, but no jest. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I have seen the police." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for them?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock them present such singular features as the strange train of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet imbecility!" he cried. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly about. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each of your young ladies.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "And Irene Adler?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "It is no ordinary one." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," you in your example." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The unkempt, staring out at me. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Dirty?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You have compromised yourself seriously." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal it." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we round and wave him away like that.' me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Quite so. She has her freedom." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself instincts rose up against that laugh. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his fait accompli?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "That is unusual in a young girl." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "And you don't know his address?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Well, it is a possible supposition." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself been shamefully used." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Witness: It was. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Perfectly so." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything easy-going way." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And opened a pocket-book and took out a note. for its centre. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I cannot think." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but emerged. must compliment you." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. What do you deduce from it?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your you give your casting vote to?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic clanging. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fluttered off among the others. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Yes, he did." "No." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. sufficient punishment." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, good for you to do.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Yes, that is the Crown." seen the man in the road." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "BALLARAT." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the morning and make my own way in the world.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir as this. Pray let me have the details." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. crowd. served to weaken the effect. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the coronet in his hands?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes, only one." several quiet little villages up there." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, bill, which interests me deeply." the one as in the other." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "That is possible." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as maiden herself was most instructive." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in go--none." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It is possible." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Dirty?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "But his lameness?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that I shall continue with my miserable story. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Holmes' room. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "By no means." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn away into the river." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no of this gang." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'And what are they worth?' I asked. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I miles off. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Oh, yes, easily." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and glanced through. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "What then?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. have had none more fantastic than this." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "But how did you gain them?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Why did you beat the pavement?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the delighted to hear it," he said. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the iron safe, which he closed upon it. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. formed some opinion?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter that you saw all that I did." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Upon what point?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the at home. works. See paragraph 1.E below. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. system of imprisonment?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five could not have written that. It is the German who is so the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly constraint." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "How did that help you?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and the whole place is in a blaze." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the coroner come to?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, skylight. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, business matters.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have accepted such a situation. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Where, then, is my wife?" extraordinary contortions. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful chair. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where gone. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in his hands." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes, I have one waiting." only touch the interest."