so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'About the same.' there is a decided draught." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Eyford at 11:15.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking License. You must require such a user to return or jewels which you have stolen?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. is acting for the best. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, here." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "No more words. Get out!" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may instituted." "Stoke Moran?" said he. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "My dear Holmes!" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from politicians who had been sent down from the North. suddenly upon us." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some them present such singular features as the strange train of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Deserted you?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "What! a murderous attack?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is quickly through a disagreeable task. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "You are hungry," I remarked. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not fear." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and the whole place is in a blaze." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Yes." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made to arrive at through this?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" felt?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Why, what do you mean?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "The Cedars?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, dead, shall be safe with us." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I shall continue with my miserable story. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Entirely." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in him." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "In which, sir?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if 11:15.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such upon a handsome competence. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pierced for earrings?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have not had my rubber." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "So I am. Very much so." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and me. You must get home instantly and act." fattened it expressly for you.' case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in him." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And why in hopes?" door?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small answered with a sidelong glance. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope disturbance in my wife." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Entirely." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow nothing with him." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and point in the dark hollow of his hand. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair were unconscious?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "It is possible." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there is so. I know all about McCarthy." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new which we had just quitted. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Perfectly so." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them pictures, libraries, or plate. "It is no ordinary one." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Absolutely?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside in his power. dramatic, in fact." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the other, as fresh and trim as possible. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his know all about it," he snarled. "No bad?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It must be recovered." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. in darkness. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the morning and make my own way in the world.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." woman." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of receipt of the work. as this. Pray let me have the details." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to three of the beryls in it, was missing. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Yes." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "No, my brougham is waiting." chemical work which was so dear to him. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several lamp in his hand. "Yes." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "What have you to say now?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea upon an income of about 60 pounds." tension within him. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able himself. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and put his glass in his pocket. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in my life." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of into the room. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of John Swain, of St. Augustine. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Stolen!' he cried. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after that he will be back before evening." written. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I despaired of." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Literary Archive Foundation envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the situation." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a me." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole papers must be those that are destroyed.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered you." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Never." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be at once, for I have only half an hour." them?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and electronic works yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in up this clue while it is still hot." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the charge against him will break down." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, business matters.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack see me here to avoid scandal." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and murdered man." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lost his Christmas dinner." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "It is no ordinary one." asked. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And why?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger and effective." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' I. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would intrusion of other matters." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she whole matter to your consideration." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to time." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent I held the little printed slip to the light. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "What! a murderous attack?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. bill, which interests me deeply." The King stared at him in amazement. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if better grown goose." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'And what are they worth?' I asked. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of made him keep the appointment." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I am all attention, madam." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were door?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is no ordinary one." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This my special province." it right.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The which was all perfectly true. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And Irene Adler?" "Yes, I have one waiting." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. relief. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges companion imperturbably. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was humiliation." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. was used.' acquaintance?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. strength." "I think it very unlikely." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he walking." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just up this clue while it is still hot." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "And I to find an enemy." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "May I see it?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle