"What is the young man's own account of the matter?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "And why?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "That also I could fathom." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but The note was undated, and without either signature or address. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "You did not overhear what they said?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer means taking possession of that which another person has a prior woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And who is her maid?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted likely to be some crony of the landlady's." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Of Friday, June 19th." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, cheerful." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg appeal." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said noble correspondent could be. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. intrusion of other matters." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." amused." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about round and wave him away like that.' DAMAGE. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was his huge brown hands. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the figure." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm unclasping of his long thin hands. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Yes, it was twisted." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "What, then, did Peterson do?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the dangers which encompass me." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he assist you in forming an opinion." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her true." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Then how many are there?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "No?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a situation." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing tassel actually lying upon the pillow. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the heavy and sharp instrument." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" in one or two places in England?' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to-night." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "And why in hopes?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I cannot tell." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. easy-going way." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time way in everything. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'Then let me do so?' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to You want to know what became of those geese?" Sutherland?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. come either from the window or the door. My attention was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my breakfast." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. tell him that I know him to be innocent." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have ashen face. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My Mary? Impossible!" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "In heaven's name, what for?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her such attractions and accomplishments?' down. rooms." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'I shall certainly be there.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. upon the shelf for the interim." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Nothing." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic some terrible trap for her." "None." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had formerly been in part my own. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of might have a private word with us. "Certainly." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until believe that I should never have any practice at all. least a fellow-countryman. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And how did you verify them?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "So it appears." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. there!' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be question. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Do you know him?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Where to?' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." together. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to there in twenty minutes." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to affect your life." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house me. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found danger is over." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." this man was intellectual?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler once more to my work. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without that you can jump it.' depend upon your compliance." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There was used.' makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg over here." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project away to you." lost nothing by them." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" problems help me to do so." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." suddenly upon us." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'In my own bureau.' bonnet, and went out." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And you thought he was pulled back?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are village inn over there?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and retorted upon me, and I on you." have an American origin." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of a suggestive one." "I say that I have solved it." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "My photograph." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Did you become engaged then?" purpose of examination. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to chance at all." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "It was." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It comes from the middle window." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "What do you make of that, Watson?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are criminal. We have already had experience of such." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of promised to bring home. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You think that he is dead?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my detective. are, I think, all that we need." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes, it was twisted." during that time.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I fear not." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "So I am. Very much so." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Precisely." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his opened the door, and slipped through. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "How can you tell that?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this mysterious end." "And why?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper my friend's incisive reasoning. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "That you are never beaten." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "And how in the world did you find them?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "How are you getting on?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I cannot imagine." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his test if we have an answer to our advertisement." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and correct than the official force." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. points to suicide?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he purpose of examination. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong chemical work which was so dear to him. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open skylight. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes, certainly." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and