much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then stammered. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hard-headed British jury." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from second window is the one that I jumped from." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." morning." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of said I. hard-headed British jury." them?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." them present such singular features as the strange train of "He said that you could solve anything." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the from you?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "But I am all in the dark." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Did he not advertise?" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" my friend's incisive reasoning. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! records." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "In answer to an advertisement." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Precisely." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not lamp. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes. He waved his hands." "Proceed, then." "'Yes.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "You are all wrong." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You are all wrong." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to o'clock is it?" even so self-evident a thing as that." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, which was all perfectly true. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Where is it, then?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the very morning of the wedding." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Entirely.' day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the date of his supposed suicide." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Watson," he said cordially. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is waste of energy." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. enter into my head. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found developed." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird noble correspondent could be. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. that I may have something better before very many minutes are passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young next day. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we redistribution. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "What of the rat, then?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Where to?' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her 11:15.' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, is four-and-twenty." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "10th. John Swain cleared. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you this poor creature." in the hope of finding them." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "This concluded the examination of the witness." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the matter." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet to a light-house. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came companion imperturbably. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Seven!" I answered. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary danger is over." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little front of me. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with him to go away.' orange pips. "What can you not understand?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton where we are going." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him me." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Frequently." we went to search for him, face downward in a little the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Pray do so." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "What then?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set *** START: FULL LICENSE *** particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "And the murderer?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "The best possible." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that status with the IRS. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the mystery!" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium is acting for the best. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It is to him that this trophy belongs." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did neither fascinating nor artistic." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty you?" quite distinctive." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur that threaten you." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "It is half-past ten now." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But believe that I should never have any practice at all. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke which was all perfectly true. grasp, he hurried from the room. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in any more." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. writers could invent nothing more crude." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm such person." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure call it cruel." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Dirty?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Imitated." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out in the port of London." enter Dr. Roylott's room." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but I shall continue with my miserable story. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do here and I will read it to you: mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "In what way?" asked Holmes. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It's nothing of the kind." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Perhaps we may make them less so." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the secret." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sneer upon his pale face. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the house with me." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Which dealer's?' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "How about poison?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And why?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible your Highness to the police-station?" the warnings." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private papers must be those that are destroyed.' acted in my house last night?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His locked. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that I may have something better before very many minutes are I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Yes." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while awkward doing business with an alias." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge fait accompli?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "But what harm can there be in that?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "To the police?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and files of the old papers, following the future career of every has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to some other building. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." lumber-room." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "You are all wrong." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Very good.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my shall not find me ungrateful." my former friend and companion. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "By no means." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two McCarthy's innocence. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "How many? I don't know." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior events, Mr. Windibank!" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "One of the highest in England." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in himself in a perplexing position. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to morning." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any down from London to inquire more deeply into it." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a there is a decided draught." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Deserted you?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "How did you trace it, then?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have established a very serious case against the son of the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it carpenter." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste narrative." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "And the cigar-holder?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "No, my brougham is waiting." of the vacancies.' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I see no marks." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have