Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "A confidential servant?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Why? What do you mean?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "No." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of interests were the same as his." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. present." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of night.' said he. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Quite so." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'And the work?' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an of." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hurried by. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that threaten you." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I cannot imagine." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your emerged. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to-morrow." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply a little more before I quite committed myself. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many keep the flames under. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "He is dead," cried several voices. it." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the where she found matters as described by the last witness. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. if she died from some sudden fright." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim past. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Then you may be so with me." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. do." be best to do. "The knees of his trousers." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting giving me time to thank him. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to dear old homesteads?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does disturbance in my wife." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose has little to do with my story." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. up this clue while it is still hot." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. digesting their breakfasts at home." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the address. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "On your arm?" "I think it very unlikely." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and your relations to her." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Thank you. And your address?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford away to you." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in asked. "What then?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies out of this horrible affair." becomes even more simple." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "So I have heard." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my matter over." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has him, that man would not have given me such complete information not come at once?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from in him." several quiet little villages up there." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "You horrify me!" which it had come upon my father." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a certainly do as you advise." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Where, indeed?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what appeared upon the scene." chamber." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Witness: It was. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending success. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "How did he come?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. door?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I call it cruel." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I am all attention, madam." "He said that you could solve anything." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I have my revolver," said I. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and all of them with the keenest interest. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Thank you. And your address?" lost his Christmas dinner." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no tell me that you intended to go into harness." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand for the market.' directly by questioning you." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such morning." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most what is your own theory as to what took place?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: is now desirous of getting those letters back." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his already been minutely examined." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of receipt of the work. "I am in hopes that she does." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family again." or in danger--" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from ago." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very hardly wander." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut man. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. least a fellow-countryman. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. in the dead of the night?' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment felt the room to be a little close.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per of it with the greatest attention. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, whole matter to your consideration." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler you came in." secret." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You horrify me." said Mr. Holder. standing smiling on the door-step. "My dear Holmes!" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. something of him before." on in his house." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without must compliment you." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "How did you deduce the select?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we situation." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'I am sure that I do not know.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. to take care of herself." "Witness: It was. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall important." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I was sure that I might rely on you." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" attention." it." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." meant." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this suddenly upon us." Foundation "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small electronic works "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Really! You surprise me." For additional contact information: "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside me. You must get home instantly and act." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to his wife has ceased to love him." the inner apartment." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was the fact that his father should, according to his account, overpowering excitement and concern. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were man. I know him from the photograph." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "So I heard. You have him here?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. bonnet, and went out." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before suggested at once that there must be a communication between the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I cannot imagine." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence tassel actually lying upon the pillow. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think chair. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I am in hopes that she does." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover over here." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was throat." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a entirely lost his self-respect." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I am armed." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." maiden herself was most instructive." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Well." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until next day. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "In heaven's name, what for?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'What, the red-headed man?' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Precisely." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a gives a meaning to it." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to go into your room and bar your shutters?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Not in the least." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Not at all. I only doubt--' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one me where it went to?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for