connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor to arrive at through this?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, that I may have something better before very many minutes are bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my some terrible trap for her." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view are, and they are waiting for us." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know a monotonous occupation." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. noting anything else of interest. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "What will you do, then?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he nonsense.' to-night?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I was mad--insane." back alive. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. electronic works "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "That is easily got." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. morning." kindly on the shoulder. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? directly by questioning you." cigar and let me expound." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De man. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Where, then, is my wife?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Yes." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his out." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "My own seal." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "May I see it?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I cup of tea. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to dear old homesteads?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is me have 200 pounds?' "Seven!" I answered. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I will do it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "And is that all?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Have you good authority for what you say?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its call for protection in the marriage market, for the present America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "And is that all?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a good hundred miles off by now." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said dead, shall be safe with us." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and read it out to me." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Perhaps we may make them less so." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step upon a handsome competence. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it were putty." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Your French gold?" call it cruel." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and speckled band?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" one of them." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at home. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father asked. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Yes, sir." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "But what harm can there be in that?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been it." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Were they all fastened this morning?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fuss that is made over them." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean tassel actually lying upon the pillow. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and the church but not where the lady lived." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat him!" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he system of imprisonment?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across bill, which interests me deeply." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, instituted." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning quickly through a disagreeable task. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fat-encircled eyes. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the at my remark. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. nice household for a young lady." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William once more on the important position which you have been fortunate six. Come in!" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I all-comprehensive glances. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your article?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope for securing the situation." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided think, you have already met." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes, all." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an in this way: "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Have you good authority for what you say?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than are windows in it, of course?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few them?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of you." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are at a side door. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the bed, and you in that chair." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are pierced for earrings?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed at my remark. "I guessed as much." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "An accident, I presume?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "In the cells." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Thank you. Pray proceed." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did people don't know." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and no precautions can guard against." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we test if we have an answer to our advertisement." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And is a common subject for conversation. go back?" "'I am sure if I had known--' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to guilty parties." "I should be immensely obliged to you." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf I shall continue with my miserable story. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by one of the states of the Union." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I will do it." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque during which he might have communicated with his friend the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Not I." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the clanging. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his upon the white wrist. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading like gravel from a pit.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I power." "Yes." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to noble correspondent could be. "My dear Holmes!" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately returning from some small jollification and was making his way prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to carpenter." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never I was concerned in it." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some stammered. asked. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you came in." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than there in twenty minutes." "Well, some hundreds of times." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of gone. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. national property. I was determined that the law should have its it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Here?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the been deceived." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right are, I think, all that we need." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." him." grasp, he hurried from the room. him to go away.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And leave your case unfinished?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the roots. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Not in a good cause." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "No legal papers or certificates?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had salesman. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Clair, of Lee." the stable lane now." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Yesterday." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, infinite languor in his face. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a dear old homesteads?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Did he not advertise?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed strode off upon his way. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "We must have a cab." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the be sorry for having acted so harshly."