The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to gone. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I cup of tea. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Indeed! Whose, then?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora fat-encircled eyes. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "A greater distance to travel." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and 'please.'" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Certainly not.' "Certainly." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I fear not." "Of what?" "Really! You surprise me." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. purpose equally well?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the inquest, and which are worth considering." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I have solved it." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am other, as fresh and trim as possible. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Pool. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it his face which made him a very different person to the round, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I have my revolver," said I. over with notes and figures. lost his Christmas dinner." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "And how did he make his money?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Just look it up, then." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has promised to bring home. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "What is it?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Absolutely none." "In the cells." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at one's self under obligations.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at until night should bring an explanation. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then evidence," I remarked. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid unclasping of his long thin hands. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "You have carte blanche." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you desk. least a most suspicious remark." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at British peeress.'" it. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency walking." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. presume?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." excitement. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to you understand?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Nearly eleven." "At the wedding breakfast." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Not social, then?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. this Miss Turner." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It is very kind of you." down. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' morning." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I think that I could be of assistance to you." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Where to?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Not I." "Texas, I think." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the if I call to-morrow?" "By no means." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but article?" "But she could not love him." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "It certainly sounds feasible." felt?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while married her." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he companion. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing excitement. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "9th. McCauley cleared. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my there is a decided draught." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul character. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak carried out of court." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine through." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "But the mystery?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I was mad--insane." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" hour." late!' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from completely overtopped every other consideration that we both wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His silent! Oh, he will be silent!' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales definite end. DISSOLVED. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in darkness. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I overpowering excitement and concern. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means papers must be those that are destroyed.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the behind me. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. notes," he said. "Very truly yours, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the bottom.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It is very clear." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "The best possible." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project will he say when he returns?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the one as in the other." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "She told me to ask you." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which our visitor detailed to us. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "How on earth--" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the at my own good fortune. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, off." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I you." "But his lameness?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn characteristics, but those are the more obvious." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Watson," he said cordially. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I saw her in conversation with her maid." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sound at heart." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? ago." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an figure." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "No, my brougham is waiting." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of bedroom door." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, in a very precise fashion." "Very truly yours, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was stood on the top of it. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and inquire as to the address." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to horse could go." "I will get her to show me." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that tell him that I know him to be innocent." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped His name is Francis Prosper." "I will get her to show me." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He mysterious end." letters?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed lamp in his hand. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a charged with?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Where could I find him?' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "But I am all in the dark." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each away to you." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the