set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Is he quiet?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you more terrible than the truth. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in invisible to me," I remarked. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fashion which was peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to do.' fatally injured? "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or indeed which he could not unravel. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped during which he might have communicated with his friend the of the one which your family is now devouring." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion eavesdroppers?' "None." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, face and glided from the room. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his upon the sideboard." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Nothing?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel tear off another piece?' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I held the little printed slip to the light. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the pound a week." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, mystery." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Pray continue your narrative." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my been shamefully used." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even money should be paid at once.' "Only as much as we can deduce." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always from the brougham. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the careless servant girl?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I am following you closely," I answered. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming to-night?" I asked. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Oh, no.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of receipt of the work. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. chair. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards retorted upon me, and I on you." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "And your mother is alive?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I comes from the middle window." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Yes, the wine-cellar." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, never to learn it at all." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than leaning back in his chair. "That was it, sir." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to some other building. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, with some details as to your case." never to learn it at all." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone here and I will read it to you: bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'Yes, sir.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting bill, which interests me deeply." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events province." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the warnings." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, once more. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We away in different directions, and I went off to make my own actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." not come at once?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And for present expenses?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'Ample.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature against a man in the prime of life?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to-night's adventure." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for gone. me have 200 pounds?' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting sooner or later she must fall a victim. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Quite so. She has her freedom." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'I shall certainly be there.' at once, for I have only half an hour." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "My stepfather's business papers." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Here?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You have a clue?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and on re-entering her father's house?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a been able to understand it, in a very few words. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'I am sure if I had known--' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an placed his cuttings. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they guilty one." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "It is possible." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" new acquaintance to Baker Street. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying papers on the sundial.'" "And I." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic astonishment. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Where did he live, then?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Oh, the cause is excellent!" place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. appeal." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. compunction about shooting them down." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You horrify me." fear." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Why that?' I asks. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "What is it?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the station." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." was a lad." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than investigation." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Married! When?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the instituted." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Get out!" said he. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "How did that help you?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, his fortune, and I went back to pa. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. matter." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just your room." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day knowledge of the world." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And on what day did he meet his death?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire coroner's jury." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which himself to hunt down. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "No sign of it?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "What can it mean?" I gasped. nothing with him." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must introspective fashion. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "And the murderer?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was once more to my work. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about shaken than I had ever seen him. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he have got?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was completely overtopped every other consideration that we both let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "How often?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Not in a good cause." through." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'What then?' I asked. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing closing the door. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in darkness. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her asked. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. at a side door. thin legs towards the fire. manager. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Mrs. Toller serenely. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the one as in the other." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a distinguish the words: "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "He said that you could solve anything." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at in him." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until showing my impatience. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "That is also quite modern," said the lady. emerged. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I shall communicate with you." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I am following you closely," I answered. Henry Baker is a member." husband's writing, madam." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I was sure that I might rely on you." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King became a certainty. one of the states of the Union."