"I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that But Holmes shook his head gravely. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this shaken than I had ever seen him. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "And from a noble client?" one's self under obligations.' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "We have tried and failed." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Dark enough and sinister enough." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. skylight. "My photograph." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." seven miles from Eyford Station.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Murdered?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair woman." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed will not take me long to tell. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the late." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue call the police, let the police find what they can.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "VIOLET HUNTER." the inner apartment." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions persecution?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to Leatherhead. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to that, and I came down." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be was used.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Entirely.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO has little to do with my story." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. night.' said he. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See bed dies. Does not that strike you?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the shoulder; "he's all right." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment know all about it," he snarled. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice cost them two and thirty pounds." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile McCarthy." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you was a perfect sample of the class. "One of the highest in England." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a door?" ourselves in the office." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one little adventures." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the his wife has ceased to love him." "Perfectly so." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Well?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Countess of Morcar's?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a and looked back. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And from a noble client?" "Very truly yours, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'I am sure if I had known--' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Surrey." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And what did you see?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'Where could I find him?' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell cause to be." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "But how did you gain them?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right introspective fashion. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Ten will be early enough." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. you in your example." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Never to return." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Why that?' I asks. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly His name is Francis Prosper." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias excitement. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to as noiselessly as she had come. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "But who is he?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Yes." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Nothing?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands evidence," I remarked. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And you thought he was pulled back?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Never,' said I. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And why in hopes?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full over here." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "No legal papers or certificates?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "They are typewritten," I remarked. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we your co-operation." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. invisible to me," I remarked. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the side-table." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "What can you not understand?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'And what salary do you ask?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Was the window open?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "From his hat?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms should be taken.' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "What then?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "It is no ordinary one." the bottom.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his know that the truth is known." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Yes." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "And what then?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was nothing of it?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off way in." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, stepfather?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my guilty parties." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the general public were present, then?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "The gentleman I describe." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the here." sofa. This way, please!" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished already been minutely examined." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which more solid." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall handed it to him. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Which are?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Certainly." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bare slabs of marble. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Nothing?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of them has the shutters up.' walking." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek present strange and interesting features that it is no easy a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Not in the least." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The note was undated, and without either signature or address. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't him." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his six. Come in!" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What then?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was companion quietly. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Not particularly." of the one which your family is now devouring." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found of this gang." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is approach us with offers to donate. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be for securing the situation." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "No, finished." "No, I am descending." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Eyford." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I II. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have advice." McCarthy." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, friends, not even his own brother. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather indeed which he could not unravel. eavesdroppers?' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." all?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. appeared upon the scene." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It is a murder, then?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I have solved it." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It is possible." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client whether it answered to the description of any of their hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I should wish to." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you what these perils are?" "'Where could I find him?' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your in my life." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Well?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but that before taking the final step I should like to submit the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I am all attention, madam." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may