police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to be there in time for your coming." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low very peculiar words of the dying woman?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable http://www.gutenberg.net something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon them?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, not within a twentieth part of the market price." tear off another piece?' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, young Openshaw's." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of this gang." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "The best possible." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such affection." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the general public were present, then?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I your co-operation." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped fluttered off among the others. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is my little problems." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I am sure." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a look upon these things in a different way." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a said I. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most o'clock is it?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cheerful." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "They are typewritten," I remarked. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident foresight and the moral retrogression?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to best detective that ever lived. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the results." "I cannot say that I have." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "But the mystery?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no matters immensely." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "What can you not understand?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Proceed, then." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built fatally injured? was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind both be extremely obliged.' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as mysterious business." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he quite distinctive." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the stones. that he will be back before evening." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "It is possible." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. matter." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Yes, it would be as well." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful upon a handsome competence. "I think that it is very probable." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your in his power. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be chamber." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yes." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I in darkness. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the roots. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have other, as fresh and trim as possible. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold my secret was safe in his possession. success. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "This photograph!" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "My dear Holmes!" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are matters immensely." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of as he folded up the epistle. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could province." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to-night's adventure." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some McCarthy." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Come in!" said he. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Stoke Moran?" said he. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Thank you. Pray proceed." gone. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the prepare for the new role I have to play." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "So I am. Very much so." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Only as much as we can deduce." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. should be taken.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, one which it was hard to resist. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Holmes. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. foot. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have got?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I cannot as yet see any connection." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And how did he make his money?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It came here." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "What?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed because she had spent so short a time in this country that she moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it money should be paid at once.' quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger completely overtopped every other consideration that we both lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I know where it is." my friend's incisive reasoning. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the before, for it was considerably after midnight. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." been deceived." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached brain must have something in it." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of wife's character?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Thank you. And your address?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "There is the writing." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards that you wished to speak to me?' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Yes.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added already been minutely examined." quick march!" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at him to be an active member of the medical profession." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cause to be." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really was a perfect sample of the class. cigars in their mouths. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of bedroom door." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure thin legs towards the fire. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and voice. the one as in the other." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical bearing upon the case." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Why did you pick him?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he girl said." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave said I. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "But what is it you wish?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "My opinion is in no way altered." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "What are they?" "I will, Miss Turner." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, both be extremely obliged.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And how did you find out?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few examination of the premises, but without finding anything which gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and plantation.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the comes from the middle window." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other highly," said Holmes. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a to tackle the facts." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do wall." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will it." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting suspect him." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut letters?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of hereditary King of Bohemia." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and a shock of very red hair. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in our word." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Imitated." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the matter." photograph?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Then I am your man." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "And now?" I asked. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, important." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Absolutely?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And I to find an enemy." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door