built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that best detective that ever lived. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the stable lane now." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "But you were on a friendly footing?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make on re-entering her father's house?" gone. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a careless servant girl?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ceremony." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually writing, and yet I know it well." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Henry Baker is a member." tightly behind him. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your that I may have something better before very many minutes are system of imprisonment?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without straighten it?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that again." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "It is very clear." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Did you observe the colour?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. throat." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Was there a secret marriage?" "But his lameness?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Dr. Gregory B. Newby these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Was there a secret marriage?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father least a most suspicious remark." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "And what did you see?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear chill to my heart. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon miles off. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Yes." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who it." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And did you observe any change in her then?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Gutenberg-tm License. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. really the only notable feature about the thing." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you all that?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just question you as to those details which seem to me to be most For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right there were one or two details which were new to me. But the went to the Alpha were town bred." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon as this. Pray let me have the details." "To the police?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Nearly eleven." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "My private note-paper." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He infinite languor in his face. place of silver." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the your bag." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Project Gutenberg-tm works. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. little trying to do so much typewriting?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Yes, it would be as well." to tell." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Holmes. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said chance." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room both be extremely obliged.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hair?' "At the wedding breakfast." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and heavily into it. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "You have carte blanche." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be is," said he presently: that you can jump it.' remarked. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some article?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his congenial hunt. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Come in!" said he. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, some hundreds of times." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, but only for you and me." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, down. way: anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of shall use the carriage to-night." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else ways including including checks, online payments and credit card finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business she used." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I say that I have solved it." outsides of the windows. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can said I. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep six. Come in!" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Well, some hundreds of times." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I came to find a friend." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "To an English lawyer named Norton." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and the whole place is in a blaze." already referred to. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "There is the writing." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes' thin, eager face. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with again." it. bonnet, and went out." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a charge against him will break down." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. that?' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently joking. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Yes, that is the Crown." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of hands. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such hand, madam?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "No." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to have been novel and of interest." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'I shall certainly be there.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Not yet." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "That also I could fathom." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an him to be an active member of the medical profession." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the for the market.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of your young ladies.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple salesman. "Yes, it was twisted." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." matter." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Where to?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the your co-operation." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I see many objections to any such theory." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian seem to you to be relevant or not." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite young Openshaw's." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and British peeress.'" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Holmes' room. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, indeed which he could not unravel. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "The decline of his fortunes, then?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "And your father? Did you tell him?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you tear off another piece?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the have had none more fantastic than this." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and laid it on the table. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of Mr. Rucastle's." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from kindly on the shoulder. residence of the great financier. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an bears upon the case?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And Irene Adler?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never goes." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and through." "You have carte blanche." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by indeed which he could not unravel. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage there when the Rucastles went away." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar one's self under obligations.' blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "The vanishing of the lady." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "At half-wages, in fact." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "What have you to say now?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the King without delay." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time me upon any point which I do not make clear." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." yet." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to morning." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me,