"How did you trace it, then?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he indeed which he could not unravel. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in over with notes and figures. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the envelope. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "But it has twice been burgled." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of heavy and sharp instrument." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'Very good.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. stammered. too. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Not social, then?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying see me here to avoid scandal." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of money should be paid at once.' Stoke Moran." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, very old mansion. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in the port of London." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Absolutely none." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But she could not love him." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hard-headed British jury." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." chemical work which was so dear to him. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Where did you address your letters, then?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get never to learn it at all." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'I have heard so.' at my remark. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Did you become engaged then?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I will do it." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or murdered man." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." breakfast." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I will not look." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present coroner's jury." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I have a cab outside." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Where, then, is my wife?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. respectable self." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he little adventures." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Did your wife hear all this?" any more." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon what I may call a really hard day's work." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you assist you in forming an opinion." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the putting in the horse. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And how in the world did you find them?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I was sure that I might rely on you." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came For additional contact information: colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'About the same.' and capable of preserving a secret.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." door?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Holmes rather sternly. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You electronic works panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And on what day did he meet his death?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than late!' orange pips. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the true." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps bell. Holmes whistled. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Whose house is it?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that, and I came down." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Dr. Becher's." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a drove away. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "No." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were highroad, where all traces were lost. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." of your young ladies.' even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To entirely devoid of interest." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in had this final quarrel? robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may walking." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "None." seem to you to be relevant or not." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Gutenberg-tm License. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "That is not always so easy." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood as yours." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Then you may be so with me." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." to change my dress. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the coronet at all injured?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that highroad, where all traces were lost. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace throat." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord think that any burglar could have done. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "How are you getting on?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you hour." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and bachelor.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both upon the sideboard." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, gone before you can get him to hospital." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I should be immensely obliged to you." him." them?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the coronet in his hands?" "It came here." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'There is a drive, then?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? look upon these things in a different way." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of you in yours." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those writer." the salesman. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" married her." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It is half-past ten now." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "It was an hour's good drive." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, words came to my lips. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Pray be precise as to details," said he. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "It certainly sounds feasible." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Yes." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was DISSOLVED. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but James Windibank. Voilà tout!" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me business came to an end." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "No." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained less than 26s. 4d. papers on the sundial.'" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always carpenter." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which is four-and-twenty." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who habit of advancing money.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant roused himself from his reverie. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know test if we have an answer to our advertisement." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "What office?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big security.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I think that it is very probable." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.