"Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat galvanised. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter became a certainty. "No good news?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and with some details as to your case." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. copied or distributed: large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their astonishment. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not your most interesting statement." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her at a side door. felt?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have salesman. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I never have." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with so.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were here." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Was the window open?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," against a man in the prime of life?" have had none more fantastic than this." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the room while you explain this matter?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and the colonel ushered me in. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cup of tea. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that any." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his appointment with me for six o'clock?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place tear off another piece?' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Nothing." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Leadenhall Street--and--" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And how did you find out?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." in the hope of finding them." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she morning." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker asked with his eyes open. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was is," said he presently: "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I leave." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Nothing." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others 1.E.9. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I am all attention, madam." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this you came in." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Not yet." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your article?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the companion quietly. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence everything which you would wish to know." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the started for the Temple to see my husband. "No." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With like gravel from a pit.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as legal crime." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat bare slabs of marble. "It is a murder, then?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our your own bird, so if you wish--" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Well?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Gutenberg-tm License. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'A dozen yards or so.' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Never,' said I. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is is now desirous of getting those letters back." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. spark where all is dark to me." have one." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler society." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "A confidential servant?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' crime. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Then I am your man." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper not personally threatened." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were any little problem which you may submit to me." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you this unhappy family?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Yes, they were peculiar boots." awaited us upon the table. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is this poor creature." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'I have already given you my word.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and the church but not where the lady lived." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the running down." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for carpenter." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' is acting for the best. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a too. rooms." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united business came to an end." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Certainly not.' young Openshaw's." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the tragedy. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "And you thought he was pulled back?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort purpose equally well?" man. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "We must have a cab." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Where, then?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the crowd. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that he will be back before evening." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we invisible to me," I remarked. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Did you become engaged then?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as be. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in until night should bring an explanation. photograph?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And round with crates and massive boxes. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which that I may have something better before very many minutes are "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Of what day?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." nothing of it?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Only as much as we can deduce." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Stolen, then." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "No, I had a dozen." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us if I call to-morrow?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, affection." "At half-wages, in fact." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no crackling voice. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has sneer upon his pale face. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that you saw all that I did." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest to his chemical studies. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with with the outside air!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the stones. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the death." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Then I do not see the point." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to that open window." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I have a cab outside." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with to a more successful conclusion." fashion which was peculiar to him. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and that he would see to anything that turned up. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, this as likely?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud strength." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And why?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the humiliation." problems help me to do so." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Was he the only applicant?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "This concluded the examination of the witness." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His details." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or back into the street. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "10th. John Swain cleared. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shall use the carriage to-night." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to that?' he. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I cannot say that I have." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and thirty. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, is acting for the best. his cane at the bell-pull. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you found me to-night--and running through the front room she that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. leaning back in his chair. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the three of the beryls in it, was missing. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander green of the new foliage. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush entirely devoid of interest." mysterious end." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden what do you think they found in the pockets?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Then, as to money?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of the way of danger. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very developed." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Then, how do you know?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." it right.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I trying to your nerves." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, DAMAGE. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress there is a decided draught." "Which are?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "It missed him, then?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted name is different." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "But how will you look?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. weighed down with some great anxiety. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the date of his supposed suicide." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Seven!" I answered. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to is acting for the best. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg