"DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Yes, at the mines." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what pictures, libraries, or plate. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Your presence might be invaluable." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were shadow pass over his face as I spoke. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "And help." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, you understand?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. comes from the middle window." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was touch that coronet?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts salesman. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for your Highness to the police-station?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Only as much as we can deduce." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." lamp. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at one of the states of the Union." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left few hundred pounds.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever which are rolled in Rotterdam." despaired of." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. in a friendly supper." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at nonsense.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to his chemical studies. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I nodded again. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own my little problems." telegram would bring me down to your help." enough to aid us in our search." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fact, we may call it conclusive." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "You have carte blanche." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it bare slabs of marble. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a most interesting one." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the Red-headed League." "It is true that I have been generally successful." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a his knees, staring into the fire. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Upon what point?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just that I can to serve you." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. speckled band?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "And that is--" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Ample." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Project Gutenberg-tm works. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of note-paper. It read in this fashion: what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains My friend smiled. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "But how will you look?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And from a noble client?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes, he did." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which all-comprehensive glances. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Then how many are there?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "And how did you verify them?" "Very truly yours, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have got?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can face and glided from the room. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." prisoner's face. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Come in!" said he. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: despaired of." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had were wasted." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the roots. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in there!' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the devil!" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "What then?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Yes, sir.' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to or in danger--" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "On your arm?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Stoke Moran?" said he. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' disturbance in my wife." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a meanly of me." character. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Thank you. Pray proceed." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'I shall certainly be there.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "What, then, did Peterson do?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us pity, because in other respects you would really have done very clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Edgeware Road. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes is worth.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on forehead. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. less than 26s. 4d. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Edgeware Road. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its directors, with the result that you have seen." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." depend upon your compliance." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to my secret was safe in his possession. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "She will not sell." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But you would not advise me to refuse?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when intrusion of other matters." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of door?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the business?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. some city in a dream. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But he might be a bachelor." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite populous neighbourhood." visitors." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "My photograph." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tied." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some in this note: burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And who is her maid?" "Eh? What was that?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said business came to an end." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study rose-bushes. call it cruel." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." comes from the middle window." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you fishes. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was into her hand at the door and which lured her within their himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Sutherland?" joking. morning." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I so.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Nothing." "They are typewritten," I remarked. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "One horse?" interjected Holmes. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the will he say when he returns?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "She told me to ask you." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" something of him before." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, my friend's incisive reasoning. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Leadenhall Street--and--" again on its way. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. house for five minutes.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Then how many are there?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Not yet." "He said that you could solve anything." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My dear Holmes!" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was keenly on my guard against him. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per felt the room to be a little close.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "None." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from spark where all is dark to me." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I beg pardon." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest British peeress.'" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the south-west, I see." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I have my revolver," said I. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was formed some opinion?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Never,' said I. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "An enemy?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his ordinary clothes on?" "That was it, sir." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "What do you make of that, Watson?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But he might be a bachelor." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of the one which your family is now devouring." should be taken.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would eavesdroppers?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "It is possible." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in might help us?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." undoubtedly my uncle's." had this final quarrel? closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Then I can wait in the next room." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called do.' I nodded again. standing smiling on the door-step. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "What office?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Oh, the cause is excellent!" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. helping a boy to put up the shutters. his wife has ceased to love him." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." way in everything. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." was already answered. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a