after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "At half-wages, in fact." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'A dozen yards or so.' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to During two years I have had three consultations and one small dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Quite so." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." like gravel from a pit.' into the bag, and made for the door. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She could go. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'I am sure if I had known--' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. which we had just quitted. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Ten to two.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal residence of the great financier. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." will take you up to see the machine.' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from suspect him." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across make me his representative both with the servants and with the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Sutherland. invisible to me," I remarked. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which woman." derbies." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. man. "My own seal." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Yes, from Horsham." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But his lameness?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the warnings." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for been shamefully used." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a get her out of the way." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk colonel looking down at me. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "To the police?" to tackle the facts." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. said he. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "You have carte blanche." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the mystery may be cleared along those lines." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Do you go out much in society?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to became a certainty. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." said he. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I investigation." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I held the little printed slip to the light. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the down. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from clanging. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He open." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the tell me that you intended to go into harness." in my life." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is very clear." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses you, my dear young lady?' "Is he quiet?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." is so. I know all about McCarthy." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" hands. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique together. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang rose-bushes. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham helping a boy to put up the shutters. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was keenly on my guard against him. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left ago." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical him to be an active member of the medical profession." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I think that I could be of assistance to you." drawing your inferences." "No?" father's place of business?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two we went to search for him, face downward in a little smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, wife's character?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Your presence might be invaluable." attention." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to this as likely?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Surrey." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "They are typewritten," I remarked. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his be.' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We be sorry for having acted so harshly." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on vault. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being brought there to personate someone, and the real person is every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband October 9, 1890. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but again before evening." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "You know me, then?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Have you it here?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him him to go away.' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Yes." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not train.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. approach us with offers to donate. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I beg pardon." "I have hopes." nights." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it showing my impatience. "And you don't know his address?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely morning." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one appointment with me for six o'clock?" "At the wedding breakfast." only touch the interest." was a loud and authoritative tap. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "In which, sir?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the started for the Temple to see my husband. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, distinguish the words: have established a very serious case against the son of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't his eyes and forehead. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But she could not love him." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "No, finished." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, details." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "But his left-handedness." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "What can you not understand?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. which was all perfectly true. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Texas, I think." kind enough to tell me what I should do." we went to search for him, face downward in a little advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she families. Now for the facts. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that have an American origin." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand one's self under obligations.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "What is it, then--a fire?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns walking." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a your bag." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the habit of advancing money.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "At what time?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the coronet in his hand?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "He slept on the premises." "No." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and front of me. room. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And now?" He raised his hand. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. companion. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Then, how do you know?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of with the outside air!" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "By all means." narrative." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Doctor, of the paper and the date." entirely devoid of interest." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend himself in a perplexing position. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Now, then, what's the last entry?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." morning." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Never." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might one's self under obligations.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have call it cruel." "What do you mean?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Did he not advertise?" "And I." "My last client of the sort was a king." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I approached. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard straighten it?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. call it cruel." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There IS vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I golden eyeglasses. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "None." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" I shall communicate with you." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into over his head with a sweet womanly caress. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Street. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause