or other trace. But how on earth--" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "None." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall someone who had been in Australia." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Imitated." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, you." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did that, and I came down." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Nothing?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which chemical work which was so dear to him. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Yes." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "And on what day did he meet his death?" "But the mystery?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be these bleak autumnal evenings." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small invisible to me," I remarked. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, lost nothing by them." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, fact, we may call it conclusive." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "When did she vanish, then?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such that you can jump it.' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the bell. Holmes whistled. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." have accepted such a situation. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," yards of it?' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the fasten all the windows?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," trying to your nerves." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is details should find their way into the papers. Inspector surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my special province." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so dramatic, in fact." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You were travelling in the States?" you." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left out of this horrible affair." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at confronted him. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Was she in good spirits?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, fatally injured? jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of may never be exposed to such a temptation." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Which are?" your own bird, so if you wish--" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "What is it, then--a fire?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "A call for help, you thought?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the night.' "Why did you beat the pavement?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Where to?" "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "No, finished." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the imbecility!" he cried. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been something of him before." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with them present such singular features as the strange train of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "And how did he make his money?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I promise," said Holmes. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to have that photograph." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I to his chemical studies. "I have seen the police." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the one as in the other." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing voice. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in emerged. the date of his supposed suicide." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It impression behind it as though a window had gently closed presented which may be striking and bizarre without being examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton secret." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It is possible." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that colour had been driven from his face. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, own family. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "What have you to say now?" "'How far from the body?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Edgeware Road. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I her also." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You have the photograph?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding official police." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "And I say east," said my patient. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, discontent upon his features. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great correct than the official force." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by a room. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us woman who has had her own way to make in the world. seen the man in the road." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "My photograph." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wedding?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Never,' said I. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable she has been waylaid. There has been no result." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears there has been an enclosure here!" families. Now for the facts. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "10th. John Swain cleared. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a important." matter." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all several quiet little villages up there." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal asked. "No?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "Well?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly he. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our fashion which was peculiar to him. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "And why?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Always." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Did you observe the colour?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. o'clock is it?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the ago." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from laugh and put his lips to my ear. paper in the air. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though residence of the great financier. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and or other trace. But how on earth--" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "An accident, I presume?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Literary Archive Foundation envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "One?" shall not find me ungrateful." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'As governess?' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the very morning of the wedding." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is never came back." "I cannot think." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Which dealer's?' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It is very kind of you." "'Why that?' I asks. even so self-evident a thing as that." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are at a side door. "Yes." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." second window is the one that I jumped from." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest matter." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Nothing." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, know that the truth is known." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The union?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I was mad--insane." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the weapon." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. confronted him. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "A call for help, you thought?" "I fear not." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. retorted upon me, and I on you." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled writers could invent nothing more crude." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I have come for advice." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dear old homesteads?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as believe that I should never have any practice at all. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the coronet at all injured?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I have my revolver," said I. the nursery. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple bell. Holmes whistled. morning."