mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother man. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Leave Paddington by the 11:15." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'There is a drive, then?' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But how?" our word." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "But he might be a bachelor." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; introspective fashion. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally deduce something from that?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him visitors." approach us with offers to donate. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having this as likely?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' gigantic client. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But we can't all be." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. way: held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the loss of it. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation round and wave him away like that.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was me have 200 pounds?' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "His face fell immediately. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am purpose equally well?" "You have the photograph?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Never.' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." chance at all." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "The gentleman I describe." that there was nothing in it, after all." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have your billet.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Then the page we have seen--" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' straightened it out again. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and becomes even more simple." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the devil!" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a that you can jump it.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already one's self under obligations.' room. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been before, for it was considerably after midnight. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles call it cruel." "If I can be of use." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Not particularly." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as noting anything else of interest. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, crackling voice. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Ten will be early enough." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. manager. "And the cigar-holder?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "How did you deduce the select?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. him. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and know what is wrong with it.' engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long here and I will read it to you: "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for a few minutes he said that it would be all right. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of London for the present?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Ten will be early enough." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the stable lane now." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'Yes, sir.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And how did he make his money?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in floor. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But how?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'And the work?' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one right! Sit down and let us talk it over." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, strong and stiff." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would a good hundred miles off by now." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about indiscretion." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'What, the red-headed man?' in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "No more words. Get out!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your them, and came down just as you departed. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "What office?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did here and I will read it to you: strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "We must have a cab." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains yards of it?' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by disturbance in my wife." "Yes." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "But his lameness?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring one's self under obligations.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress fait accompli?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly think that he is innocent?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the dangers which encompass me." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had himself in a perplexing position. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a British peeress.'" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "No more words. Get out!" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" new duties?' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "My photograph." "Not yet." of them has the shutters up.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. at my own good fortune. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently is so. I know all about McCarthy." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And sit in the dark?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Yes." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the station." "Was he the only applicant?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed there was no need for father to know." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking into the room. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I will get her to show me." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation several quiet little villages up there." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "A call for help, you thought?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such goes." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' until night should bring an explanation. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Where, then, is my wife?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I am to be neutral?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to that open window." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without in darkness. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Then, as to money?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past derbies." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a humiliation." used to be." in darkness. "Yes." "'I have already given you my word.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" he died? plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. was not a bird to be seen there. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some against a man in the prime of life?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "What will you say?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "In heaven's name, what for?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it with his own hands." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I have a cab outside." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own that before taking the final step I should like to submit the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "So I have heard." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat your own bird, so if you wish--" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Gutenberg-tm License. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Indeed! Whose, then?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "But how could you guess what the motive was?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian him nearly every evening." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders villagers almost as much as their master. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But we can't all be." "But his lameness?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." society." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "ARAT," I read. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, fishes. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near American. Then who could this American be, and why should he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I fear not." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And what did you learn from him?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Ha! you find it so?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "But we can't all be." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Her father is very rich?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that you wished to speak to me?' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly easy-going way." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for me have 200 pounds?' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Tired-looking or fresh?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "My stepfather's business papers." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Eyford at 11:15.' "Yes, it was twisted." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My had picked up in the wood. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I beg pardon." "When did it break out?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Not yet." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I cannot tell." to have been novel and of interest." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it