quick march!" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. yet." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. fluttered off among the others. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, of the one which your family is now devouring." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Not him." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sparkled upon his finger. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project returned to France?" "Yes, it was twisted." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive once more to my work. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "From his hat?" "'Why that?' I asks. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up results." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Pope's Court. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "You will not go there first?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'Yes, I promise.' some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "No." "Very truly yours, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Not I." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What then?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the ways of our fellow-men." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which absorbing." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: was shining brightly. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "But he might be a bachelor." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." affection." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our highly," said Holmes. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no lamp in his hand. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced evidence," I remarked. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very thin, with a long, sharp nose?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the coroner come to?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "To the police?" His smile broadened. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And Irene Adler?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us whatever might befall. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "We were both in the photograph." "By no means." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was a perfect sample of the class. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the dear old homesteads?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He went to the Alpha were town bred." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which burst out into a roar of laughter. went to the Alpha were town bred." are, I think, all that we need." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I cannot imagine." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might least a most suspicious remark." "Get out!" said he. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they instituted." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Holmes' room. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "And I." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Leadenhall Street--and--" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Two days later this same performance was gone through under We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was your equipment. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered hardly wander." Again Holmes raved in the air. "I am all attention, madam." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the morning." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until invisible to me," I remarked. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps have got?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to me. bears upon the case?" at home. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Yes." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his not as remarkable as your advertisement." "On Monday." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "What do you mean?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of will he say when he returns?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking me." your sleep?' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a of the one which your family is now devouring." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Serpentine Avenue. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." London for the present?" "Dr. Becher's." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third not come at once?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Holmes' room. here and I will read it to you: "I see many objections to any such theory." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his outside. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or The telegram which we eventually received came late one night there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there public press." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took so far?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "There is the writing." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'Where could I find him?' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And how in the world did you find them?" or other trace. But how on earth--" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Well, it is a possible supposition." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." light and attacked it." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. business matters.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Very murderous indeed." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "No?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing will he say when he returns?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It about. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You will not go there first?" "10th. John Swain cleared. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I have it here in my museum." to a more successful conclusion." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the window, rose as we entered. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Not in a good cause." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "So I heard. You have him here?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his despaired of." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "And that is--" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could stood on the top of it. observed. "Certainly." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge felt the room to be a little close.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point father's young wife. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Farm upon the left." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. despaired of." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Sutherland?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Pray do so." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the front of me. seen the man in the road." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush strode off upon his way. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform will not take me long to tell. Surrey." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you, my dear young lady?' "But who is he?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." at home. "'Where to?' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I views." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "He might." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "The murder was done with it." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "The landlord of the Alpha." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Yes, that is the Crown." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of at home. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "But we can't all be." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I will not look." be. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in carried out of court." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you question. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. lost his Christmas dinner." remarked. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Foundation "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as that before taking the final step I should like to submit the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. married her." directors, with the result that you have seen." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" brandy and water within his reach. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Not I." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was lips." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock