If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the matter." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers It may be so in this case, also." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "And how?" Does that suggest anything?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the station." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what works. See paragraph 1.E below. evidence," I remarked. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." least a fellow-countryman. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! tell me that you intended to go into harness." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the spare." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I nothing of it?" "Just look it up, then." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could very old mansion. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And why?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. up this clue while it is still hot." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'And what salary do you ask?' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without easy-going way." way: in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "But we can't all be." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and it need not interfere very much with one's other when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that me upon any point which I do not make clear." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who should be taken.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It is his hat." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable she to prove their authenticity?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Yes." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just British peeress.'" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'Yes.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter bed dies. Does not that strike you?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he down in his armchair and closing his eyes. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my forehead. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your returned to France?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and directly by questioning you." you, my dear young lady?' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his chance." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working call you and give you the chance." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "You forget that I know nothing about it." felt?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "I cannot tell." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Yes, it was twisted." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Was he the only applicant?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. in the port of London." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. is now desirous of getting those letters back." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much see me here to avoid scandal." "May I see it?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I see many objections to any such theory." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous touch that coronet?' "Can I be of assistance?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you has little to do with my story." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather weapon." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper cigars in the box." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already tension within him. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "In heaven's name, what for?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and you in your example." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." ourselves in the office." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "And the cigar-holder?" thought that she would have been so carried away." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. desk. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "At the wedding breakfast." "A client, then?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. your troubles." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps call you and give you the chance." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." orange pips. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which in this way: and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "How many? I don't know." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the matter." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "That you are never beaten." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It is half-past ten now." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Ten will be early enough." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said could not have written that. It is the German who is so "No." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And how?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It is very clear." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a call you and give you the chance." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful upon an income of about 60 pounds." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue copied or distributed: the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I or other trace. But how on earth--" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any could gather together that I was able to avert another public client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "What, then?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the roots. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his get the tickets." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just occupations.' you understand?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." been with you?" the running down." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind delighted to hear it," he said. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I am about to be married." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "The vanishing of the lady." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and looked back. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "That is possible." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Pray do so." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and inquire as to the address." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under strong and stiff." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I was mad--insane." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That together. future lives." following enigmatical notices: "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & tell them apart.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up becomes even more simple." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has conceal it?" Sutherland. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. tear off another piece?' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "You have a clue?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "It is his hat." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "What then?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. late." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the photograph a cabinet?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Precisely so. But how--" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for forecastle of an emigrant ship. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and it." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped you." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came completely overtopped every other consideration that we both certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and the whole place is in a blaze." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "You have it, sir, just as it happened." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." But Holmes shook his head gravely. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Why serious?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his late!' is so. I know all about McCarthy." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark know what is wrong with it.' "That is not always so easy." waste of energy." "At the wedding breakfast." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And how have you succeeded?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Where to?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Holmes, the busybody!" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. villagers almost as much as their master. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his