We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to-night?" I asked. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one threw himself down with his face to the pillow. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was up this clue while it is still hot." My friend smiled. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that name is different." disappearance of the bride.'" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and overpowering excitement and concern. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk think, you have already met." companion imperturbably. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but ago." do.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in the dead of the night?' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the easy-going way." It may be so in this case, also." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all rat could hardly pass through." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it." "What have you to say now?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her derbies." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And I." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or experiences." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. nothing of it?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed sake, don't!" voice. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hour." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the room while you explain this matter?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Eh? What was that?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers said Mr. Holder. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and the colonel ushered me in. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to ran thus: the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. kind enough to tell me what I should do." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the ceiling. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Yes, I promise.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "On Monday." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "But what will you do?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'And what salary do you ask?' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it even of instruction." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "No." reach." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet closely." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside occurred." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "The Cedars?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, mystery!" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the present." Where does the thing come from?' "Then I am your man." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the taking in every detail of the apartment. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall train.' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat skylight. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of the one which your family is now devouring." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, do.' "'Certainly,' I answered. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I should wish to." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "That is not always so easy." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on nights." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "By all means." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, think you a quite exceptional woman." "And what did you learn from him?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. remarked. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "And for present expenses?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all bearing upon the case." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the side-table." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in your London, you will know that the office of the company is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He unprofitable." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fait accompli?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to horse could go." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. our word." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was strong reason behind." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is province." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sound at heart." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious examine." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six acted in my house last night?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, suspect him." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "You have the photograph?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and had a long day." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to talk it over. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and giving me time to thank him. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "My own seal." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall seven miles from Eyford Station.' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then been deceived." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'I have heard so.' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "The landlord of the Alpha." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention whether it answered to the description of any of their which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the King without delay." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. best detective that ever lived. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I am armed." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'And the work?' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Dr. Becher's." "It is no ordinary one." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." been able to understand it, in a very few words. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must whole matter to your consideration." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland strength in the others." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to him." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my public press." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "We were both in the photograph." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Pool. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue coroner's jury." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "They are typewritten," I remarked. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "What of the rat, then?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of what do you think they found in the pockets?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "It looks newer than the other things?" "We were both in the photograph." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. generous with you in money matters.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him!" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I passage and a tap at the door. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Here?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "She showed me, as I told you she would." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Pray do so." allusion to a rat. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was had a long day." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's system of imprisonment?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to me. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or