have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "To an end?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Yes, sir.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may as yours." "I am all attention, madam." infinite languor in his face. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'What, the red-headed man?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in placed his cuttings. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Never.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Did you become engaged then?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; photograph?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes, certainly." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in his hands." might have a private word with us. "Frequently." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should window when the police appeared." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'I shall certainly be there.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lids now and glanced across at his visitor. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he be. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to tackle the facts." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "And how did you verify them?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well highly," said Holmes. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and glanced through. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her seem to you to be relevant or not." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The events in question occurred in the early days of my singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two she used." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I should wish to." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will which it had come upon my father." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the me what he had done with the three missing stones. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Married! When?" you came in." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a third from London." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "That's no good." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and which was all perfectly true. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Yes." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to father's place of business?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "And your mother is alive?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Who by?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the memory. "I see many objections to any such theory." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very I approached. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ways of our fellow-men." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then I nodded to show that I had heard. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And you thought he was pulled back?" fattened it expressly for you.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And I." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the house with me." foresight and the moral retrogression?" a suggestive one." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the key of the affair now." strode off upon his way. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. was a loud and authoritative tap. "About a month then." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Was there a secret marriage?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "My own seal." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Pray continue your narrative." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, During two years I have had three consultations and one small Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Pray let us have it, for all that." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my during that time.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George dead, shall be safe with us." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'What, the red-headed man?' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink delighted to hear it," he said. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Yes." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Precisely." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "But how did you gain them?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the house with me." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. absorbing." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the cup of tea. "I will try. What is it?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you as this. Pray let me have the details." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a your most interesting statement." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Sholtos." may have an influence upon European history." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed your most interesting statement." crowd. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'How far from the body?' you." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to II. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "And when will you call?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the yet." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Holmes' face clouded over. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, started for the Temple to see my husband. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the nursery. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Who was the criminal, then?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the married her." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You saw the ventilator, too?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do anything to do with the matter?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and careless servant girl?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided in the dead of the night?' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles you?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important three fields round his house, and there he would take his the loss of it. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Certainly,' I answered. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I all that?" approach us with offers to donate. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Certainly." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him congratulate you again." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And your mother is alive?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "You horrify me." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual returning from some small jollification and was making his way "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to-morrow." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner stepfather?" villagers almost as much as their master. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the beyond words. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Quite so. She has her freedom." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question clang of the bell. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I will not look." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I will not look." "You horrify me!" shoulder; "he's all right." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "The doctor?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "What will you do, then?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dramatic, in fact." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, past. "No." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who to-night." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "My Mary? Impossible!" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good it with his own hands." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the clang of the bell. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "How often?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been careless servant girl?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading hand, madam?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your his knees, staring into the fire. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most until night should bring an explanation. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, thirty. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would putting in the horse. will be renamed. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And you thought he was pulled back?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I sake, don't!" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." within hail.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I cannot as yet see any connection." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a with you alone." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I will not look." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. wall." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he