with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a 1.F. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Stoke Moran." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Entirely." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to a more successful conclusion." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was shining brightly. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden your sleep?' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" back into the street. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "She walked into the breakfast-room." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' investigation." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in address. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a have an American origin." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was mystery!" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and have this put in the evening papers." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a seem to you to be relevant or not." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he License. You must require such a user to return or donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that I am arrested." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Entirely.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always think, you have already met." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you not come at once?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It came here." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always as noiselessly as she had come. wife's character?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "He said too much." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle of the one which your family is now devouring." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Stoke Moran." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'How far from the body?' gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Could he throw no light?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ceremony." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." for the market.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want photograph a cabinet?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that that?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but had no one to advise her at such a crisis." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for if only as a check to my own memory." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Miss Holder?" "Of Friday, June 19th." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your to a light-house. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally room had already been engaged for us. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am her also." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the soul! here is her carriage at the door." to-night?' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied his huge brown hands. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And the murderer?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand there!' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I formed some opinion?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'And the work?' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Holmes' face clouded over. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Of what?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but jewels which you have stolen?' death." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his chair. infinite languor in his face. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'What then?' I asked. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "When did it break out?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It is his hat." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Breckinridge is his name." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. everything which you would wish to know." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I do." these bleak autumnal evenings." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Yes?" Count Von Kramm." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not walking." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Entirely." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were meant." 1.E.9. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with into the room. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for said I. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you soul! here is her carriage at the door." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I have hopes." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused think that he is innocent?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. any more." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "My opinion is in no way altered." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Sutherland. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I was sure that I might rely on you." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "How many? I don't know." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing of Fenchurch Street." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a promised to bring home. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "No. What a strange idea!" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "One of his hands." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'And the work?' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the salesman. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the nursery. events, Mr. Windibank!" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors works. See paragraph 1.E below. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I am armed." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I am following you closely," I answered. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ago." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction figure." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of help us in this matter." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "That you are never beaten." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a hand, madam?" fashion which was peculiar to him. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "There are none." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of a light. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." flock.' really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a writers could invent nothing more crude." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Chief Executive and Director what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." My friend smiled. "His face fell immediately. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far hour." "Nothing." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I indiscretion." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "You have the photograph?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search strode off upon his way. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that he has suffered." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the best detective that ever lived. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her troubles have been weighing upon his mind. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De with some details as to your case." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" six. Come in!" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What are they?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds question," said Holmes, smiling. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Won't it ring?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. one of them." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of too. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of walking." these bleak autumnal evenings." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about conclusions. him!" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. voice, changing her seat as requested. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some six. Come in!" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he