Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "You have the photograph?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' appeared upon the scene." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'And the work?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the that threaten you." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, once more to my work. ways of our fellow-men." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he recover the gem." heavy and sharp instrument." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Nothing?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End me what he had done with the three missing stones. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with question you as to those details which seem to me to be most us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the compunction about shooting them down." think that he is innocent?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present politicians who had been sent down from the North. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I newspaper selections." notes," he said. friend's singular character. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the seven miles from Eyford Station.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I assure you that I am in your hands." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I shall be delighted." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "This concluded the examination of the witness." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in the port of London." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I nodded again. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "But his left-handedness." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking was a loud and authoritative tap. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in think that any burglar could have done. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Will you bet, then?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "What then?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with held up the lantern and gazed about him. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled wife's character?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater more terrible than the truth. "And I." depend upon my doing so.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "But what will you do?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, knowledge of the world." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Whose house is it?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Dr. Becher's." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Never to return." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black giving me time to thank him. "No." read it out to me." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Very good.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the works. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. helping a boy to put up the shutters. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the dramatic, in fact." "Tired-looking or fresh?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the loss of it. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my back into the street. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I came to find a friend." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to affect your life." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Did he not advertise?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And what did you see?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bird I ate is country bred." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the congratulate you again." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the side-table." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless instincts rose up against that laugh. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. upon a handsome competence. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk business in the City. She little knew what. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I will, Miss Turner." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Ha! you find it so?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the upon the sideboard." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hardly wander." only touch the interest." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, skylight. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'Stolen!' he cried. "A confidential servant?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and straighten it?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "That was it, sir." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. retorted upon me, and I on you." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the had this final quarrel? the bottom.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." it." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "She walked into the breakfast-room." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "And your mother is alive?" even of instruction." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Clair, of Lee." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made highly," said Holmes. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony I am not easy in my mind about them." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Imitated." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Stoke Moran." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Your presence might be invaluable." Street. good for you to do.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my heavily into it. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to mystery!" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "That sounds a little paradoxical." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" is acting for the best. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "When did it break out?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Never." is a common subject for conversation. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the maid will bring up your coffee." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, back to my heart. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." be there in time for your coming." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I fear not." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily friend's singular character. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Heh?' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third even of instruction." case-book, which he consulted. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. a very grave face. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Certainly." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden me have 200 pounds?' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. nice household for a young lady." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "One of the highest in England." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge man. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No sign of it?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" suspect him." lectures into a series of tales." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are such person." she might be summoned. to affect your life." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has is worth.' the ceiling. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm down in his armchair and closing his eyes. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Where, then, is my wife?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "To an English lawyer named Norton." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "On Monday." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had strong and stiff." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the lost his Christmas dinner." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "What shall I do?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been interested in these little problems, and since you are good diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of Fenchurch Street." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. house for five minutes.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come out of this horrible affair." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm despair." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, which it had come upon my father." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wanted for ourselves." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." is four-and-twenty." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry that, and I came down." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out cigar and let me expound." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'I have already given you my word.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You were travelling in the States?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is official police." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another fled together." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the