"Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "You did not overhear what they said?" that?' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have newspaper selections." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the devil!" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no this Miss Turner." washing it down with a long draught of water. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Dr. Becher's." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in keep the flames under. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three with the outside air!" what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "That is not always so easy." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made unkempt, staring out at me. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "I answered that I had not. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just me where it went to?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Murdered?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sofa. This way, please!" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "What steps will you take?" I asked. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the that he will be back before evening." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one bare slabs of marble. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian paper in the air. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in one or two places in England?' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing highly," said Holmes. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything key turn in the lock." "I assure you that I am in your hands." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he asked with his eyes open. "I think it very unlikely." strong reason behind." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'I have already given you my word.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the begun to whiten, even as mine has." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from good-night and bustled off upon her way. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "The best possible." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his kind enough to tell me what I should do." closing the door. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the child." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to be.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Get out!" said he. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few miles off. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly words came to my lips. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for It may be so in this case, also." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "What can you not understand?" and glanced through. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of this gang." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Yes, he did." Munro.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can bill, which interests me deeply." notes," he said. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to you." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he like gravel from a pit.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was infinite languor in his face. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch companion. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" spark where all is dark to me." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." foot. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, better in every way that they should make their position a little enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible man. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to miss it." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but McCarthy's innocence. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. outside. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to cigar and let me expound." some water from a caraffe. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I stalked out of the room. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Holmes' room. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there lids now and glanced across at his visitor. do." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in thought that she would have been so carried away." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "What do you mean?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for appeared upon the scene." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I know where it is." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Well?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the you understand?" cigar and let me expound." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger think you a quite exceptional woman." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sparkled upon his finger. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late notes," he said. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. again." daring than any effort of the imagination." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is call the police, let the police find what they can.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Look there!" said he. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and touch that coronet?' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "My own seal." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss me have 200 pounds?' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the through." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time forehead. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of was not a bird to be seen there. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the station." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "No." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "What, then?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she what these perils are?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, security.' nothing of it?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered lips." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "At half-wages, in fact." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. outsides of the windows. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "A greater distance to travel." strong and stiff." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly but preventing her from injuring another. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more you." help us in this matter." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, side. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "9th. McCauley cleared. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "It was a confession," I ejaculated. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the very morning of the wedding." that?' "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what eavesdroppers?' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross hands. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the My friend smiled. quick march!" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably that the gas is not laid on in his house?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth experiences." fire. You quite follow me?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Never to return." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day then?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. own family. of your young ladies.' a very grave face. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had more terrible than the truth. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" opened the door, and slipped through. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small writers could invent nothing more crude." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to disappearance of these gems?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Certainly." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and wife's character?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Ha! you find it so?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hands. ready to-morrow?' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences matter over." hopeless attempt at recovering them." notes," he said. an introduction to him?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a married her." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You have a clue?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But she could not love him." crime. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'Yes, sir.' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "In answer to an advertisement." least a fellow-countryman. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "She told me to ask you." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was awaited us upon the table. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair.