for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Do you receive much company?" he asked. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "But I have heard all that you have heard." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "When did she vanish, then?" very morning of my second wedding." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, narrative." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out will take you up to see the machine.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of to take care of herself." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "An accident, I presume?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "He said that you could solve anything." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, me upon any point which I do not make clear." already referred to. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "And why in hopes?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Why, what do you mean?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Yes, he did." "My stepfather's business papers." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You have a clue?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered following enigmatical notices: either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "And who is her maid?" Cross for the Continent." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of looking up at the numbers of the houses." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be in him." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "And who is her maid?" "Your sister is dead, then?" "Well." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well one of the states of the Union." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "He is dead," cried several voices. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over I shall communicate with you." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the page at http://pglaf.org didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have seen the police." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Then I do not see the point." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune crime. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass main points of my analysis." you?' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And your father? Did you tell him?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "But who is he?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Who by?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Where did he live, then?" "I promise," said Holmes. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Dr. Becher's." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he unprofitable." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Count Von Kramm." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It came here." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I have a cab outside." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided became a certainty. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did The events in question occurred in the early days of my later, upon the night of May 2nd." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of Mr. Rucastle's." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "But of what society?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold congenial hunt. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "And is that all?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it shall not find me ungrateful." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "But not more so than I to find you." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Absolutely none." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have established a very serious case against the son of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to strength." in. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay lumber-room." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still detective. "I cannot say that I have." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'In my own bureau.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near if she died from some sudden fright." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Yes, sir.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I have a cab outside." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "What! a murderous attack?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You have compromised yourself seriously." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Miss Holder?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally might help us?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You did not overhear what they said?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. are, I think, all that we need." a good hundred miles off by now." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been which are rolled in Rotterdam." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." floor. very old mansion. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew then?" "He said that you could solve anything." or other trace. But how on earth--" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the where we are going." it." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at miles off. open." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Nearly eleven." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when shoulder; "he's all right." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in darkness. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Never to return." becomes even more simple." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and the whole place is in a blaze." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such have had none more fantastic than this." was used.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ordinary clothes on?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which feature." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But his lameness?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. asked. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did companion. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses had picked up in the wood. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and put his glass in his pocket. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit do.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "But his left-handedness." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the matter?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Whose house is it?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with thin legs towards the fire. bird of prey. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully your own bird, so if you wish--" II. will he say when he returns?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she did not hear it also.' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner to-night?" I asked. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "How about poison?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for affection." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion cup of tea. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. charge against him will break down." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "And now?" I asked. "Absolutely?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand felt?" "'A dozen yards or so.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Pope's Court. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My some place of shelter and let the county police know what has slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of humiliation." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the Red-headed League." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Did you become engaged then?" undoubtedly my uncle's." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, man. I know him from the photograph." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the his cane at the bell-pull. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Why did you pick him?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Only as much as we can deduce." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the coronet in his hand?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The forehead. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I investigation." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the reach." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Will you go?" it right.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open case-book, which he consulted. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to a light-house. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes