late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found London for the present?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "She will not sell." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting orange pips. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "There are none." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "In answer to an advertisement." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that something of him before." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I will get her to show me." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle in the port of London." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we his face. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to if only as a check to my own memory." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Of Friday, June 19th." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further remarked. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. The summons was a brief and urgent one. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the to affect your life." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the key turn in the lock." "Precisely." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which results." case before our client came into the room." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Yesterday." stalked out of the room. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sneer upon his pale face. about. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of his shoulders. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Where, then, is my wife?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set strange features which were associated with the two crimes which were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end a few minutes he said that it would be all right. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." if only as a check to my own memory." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the floor. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Certainly not.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Did you become engaged then?" "That was it, sir." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to some other building. it means?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. examine." when you have done it." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position depend upon your compliance." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock character. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And why in hopes?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I will try. What is it?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "That was it, sir." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in the port of London." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were that I can to serve you." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon with the outside air!" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would know that the truth is known." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and put his glass in his pocket. companion quietly. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, o'clock is it?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I figure." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of to-morrow." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the so-precious time, but come!' waste of energy." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "How are you getting on?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a fluttered off among the others. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." has little to do with my story." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes if I call to-morrow?" compunction about shooting them down." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss that you can jump it.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I fear not." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my questioning and rather startled gaze. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. formed some opinion?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I had formerly been in part my own. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "No good news?" confronted him. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had in the hope of finding them." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" morning." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the house with me." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of lamp. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work over part of the map. "What do you read?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Then, as to money?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't already referred to. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will pictures, libraries, or plate. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of was feeling which was the fattest.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some character. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face are windows in it, of course?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, matter over." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "May I see it?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears chill to my heart. and it need not interfere very much with one's other did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of man. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "So I have heard." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of woman." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, my friend's incisive reasoning. "And how did you find out?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Dirty?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sake, don't!" "You have the photograph?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked depend upon your compliance." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had formerly been in part my own. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two of his shoulders. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet nights." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your to take care of herself." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Entirely.' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "And the murderer?" visitors." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'I am sure that I do not know.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I see many objections to any such theory." ran thus: "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wedding?" ago." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said own family. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow What do you deduce from it?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I assure you that I am in your hands." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "It was." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious morning." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "My photograph." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which see a sister of mine apply for." "Then I am your man." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I telegram would bring me down to your help." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have had none more fantastic than this." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A me upon any point which I do not make clear." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing married her." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Pope's Court. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a down. "'Ten to two.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must once more to my work. that he will be back before evening." "May I see it?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety is so. I know all about McCarthy." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, you." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "What have you to say now?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Certainly." round with crates and massive boxes. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this simple cases which are so extremely difficult." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be envelope. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I see many objections to any such theory." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Seven!" I answered. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in returning from some small jollification and was making his way It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Were they all fastened this morning?" "BALLARAT." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one coroner's jury." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." here." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "And I to find an enemy." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save touch that coronet?' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" your Highness to the police-station?" despair." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?"