bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no are windows in it, of course?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my events than those which have happened in my own family." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Yes." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, father's place of business?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran asked. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect problems help me to do so." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the to you." me." official police." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "At the wedding breakfast." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And Irene Adler?" cheerful." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, chance." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "His face fell immediately. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can is entirely a question of barometric pressure." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some woven round him. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very him!" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Yes, it would be as well." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "And is that all?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell way in everything. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Well, but China?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "We have tried and failed." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." should be so warm over such a trifle." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast observed. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the devil!" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. handed it to him. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his knees, staring into the fire. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and it need not interfere very much with one's other Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Perhaps I have." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Breckinridge is his name." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it is worth.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to once more. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he out." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the tightly behind him. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the man. I know him from the photograph." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled once more to my work. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in the dead of the night?' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and been." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Perhaps I have." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way business." horse could go." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have your co-operation." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his heavy and sharp instrument." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited weary and pale-looking. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It missed him, then?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I have a cab outside." some water from a caraffe. records." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your there." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between spark where all is dark to me." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best digesting their breakfasts at home." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and wait." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, events, Mr. Windibank!" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "But who is he?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Where could I find him?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy look upon these things in a different way." village inn over there?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled friend's singular character. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by everything which you would wish to know." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had became a certainty. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in yet." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square believe that I should never have any practice at all. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What have you to say now?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You will not go there first?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I will not look." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been wife's character?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same as yours." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' key of the affair now." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards with you alone." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; with some details as to your case." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Ah, but I was recommended to you." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Oh, fresh and glossy." is four-and-twenty." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the coronet in his hands?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There your billet.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Yes." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous enter Dr. Roylott's room." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up arms and began to sob in a high treble key. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that been able to understand it, in a very few words. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "In the cells." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at indeed which he could not unravel. the inquest, and which are worth considering." been." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My any." morning." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I warn you that they are very incomplete." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived tell me that you intended to go into harness." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "They are typewritten," I remarked. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." already been minutely examined." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which about here speaks of his kindness to him." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell is now desirous of getting those letters back." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "None." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." row." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I am in hopes that she does." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "But you have hopes?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions remarked. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And your father? Did you tell him?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "But she will refuse." more terrible than the truth. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in events, Mr. Windibank!" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "The Cedars?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide approach us with offers to donate. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "BALLARAT." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she his forehead." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a not fit the lock." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Yes." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "No." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a once more to my work. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to into her hand at the door and which lured her within their precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." redistribution. through." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Pope's Court. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that my little problems." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous his eyes and forehead. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of until night should bring an explanation. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Yes, that is the Crown." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and your relations to her." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Never." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single he. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. outbreak?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, the coroner come to?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is congenial hunt. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "What then?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It is very kind of you." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my