however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a of the vacancies.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "That is possible." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "No, I am descending." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Upon what point?" "I have seen the police." "Where did you address your letters, then?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to front of me. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room one else, I think." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, fluttered off among the others. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Frequently." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, her also." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "It is possible." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. go back?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came John Swain, of St. Augustine. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither best detective that ever lived. putting in the horse. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: pound a week." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; gone. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "My dear Holmes!" "'Stolen!' he cried. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian father's young wife. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Cross for the Continent." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But she will refuse." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "But the mystery?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two character. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at congratulate you again." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes, only one." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read man. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes, at the mines." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Was there a secret marriage?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some not personally threatened." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was towards the blaze. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." DAMAGE. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the appointment with me for six o'clock?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." upon an income of about 60 pounds." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Of Friday, June 19th." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Then how many are there?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, business at Coburg Square is serious." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will again." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course out of this horrible affair." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just extraordinary contortions. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'Oh, no.' matter." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a my special province." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'What are you doing there?' he asked. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Your French gold?" to his chemical studies. Clair, of Lee." indeed happy." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the inquest, and which are worth considering." character. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel strong and stiff." "Texas, I think." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "By train from Waterloo." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and this truth that in these little records of our cases which you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in my life." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "We must have a cab." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not eavesdroppers?' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there writing, and yet I know it well." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a approach us with offers to donate. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "But to whom?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Entirely." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'And the work?' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to would then never go into court at all." me what he had done with the three missing stones. straightened it out again. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to have that photograph." "'Yes.' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the roots. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has was feeling which was the fattest.' noting anything else of interest. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of occupations.' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than fattened it expressly for you.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. DAMAGE. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Pray do so." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a good hundred miles off by now." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two enter into my head. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little IS gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "It is half-past ten now." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out if I call to-morrow?" our word." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'And what salary do you ask?' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number six. Come in!" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Get out!" said he. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "And your mother is alive?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at few hundred pounds.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strength." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from companion. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait weighed down with some great anxiety. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him even of instruction." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'In my own bureau.' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The woman who has had her own way to make in the world. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, companion. guilty one." without a word or a look. "The vanishing of the lady." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "How about poison?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does corner of the building. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'What do you call purely nominal?' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the house with me." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of them has the shutters up.' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it him and tried to hold him back. your bag." "Of what day?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But your client--" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." her also." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but bonnet, and went out." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as him nearly every evening." Henry Baker is a member." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to you." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You have an American origin." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has