a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question it." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday upon the white wrist. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "At the wedding breakfast." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. rose-bushes. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do interests were the same as his." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What will you do, then?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Entirely." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'And what are they worth?' I asked. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her child?' "Perhaps I have." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Yes." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I fluttered off among the others. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that fashion which was peculiar to him. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "If so, much may have happened between." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And how did he make his money?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Count Von Kramm." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Yes." felt the room to be a little close.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "At half-wages, in fact." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had fire. You quite follow me?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to-night?" I asked. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." States. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already highroad, where all traces were lost. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I guessed as much." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I enough to aid us in our search." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what gentleman's clothes. drove away. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of campaign. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "And Irene Adler?" "What, then?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the own family. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at because she had spent so short a time in this country that she A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped out." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Yes." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Stolen." with some details as to your case." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice introspective fashion. Clair, of Lee." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Mary, has deserted me." "On Monday." "Whose house is it?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of girl said." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. read over the extraordinary announcement. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "At what time?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your any little problem which you may submit to me." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain again, where I was soon asleep. his wife has ceased to love him." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Then how many are there?" "Did he not advertise?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "No?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Ha! you find it so?" "It is possible." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was telegram would bring me down to your help." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here brain must have something in it." "When did it break out?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes works. See paragraph 1.E below. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But your client--" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a morning." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my seem to you to be relevant or not." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a congratulate you again." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily words came to my lips. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Just look it up, then." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she distinguish the words: and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fishes. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "And how in the world did you find them?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open it with his own hands." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you easy-going way." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'You cannot say what it was?' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Oh, the cause is excellent!" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to me. remarked. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent empty. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I am about to be married." Holmes rather sternly. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. weapon." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and inquire as to the address." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it right.' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thought that she would have been so carried away." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Literary Archive Foundation "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on did not hear it also.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house tassel actually lying upon the pillow. you." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "How did he come?" flock.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Where, indeed?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings said he. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of the way of danger. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." eat it." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am ceremony." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the upon an income of about 60 pounds." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I see many objections to any such theory." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been questionable one." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for together. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is one or two very singular points about this room. For example, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "How did you deduce the select?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he standing smiling on the door-step. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your breakfast." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Heh?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last o'clock is it?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I shall continue with my miserable story. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. window when the police appeared." "What then?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. cost them two and thirty pounds." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "No, I had a dozen." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, For additional contact information: "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and your relations to her." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. think that he is innocent?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been these bleak autumnal evenings." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "And how in the world did you find them?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I am about to be married." bonnet, and went out." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But you can know nothing of this?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. asked. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Stolen." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I was sure that I might rely on you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned examine." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which extraordinary contortions. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet as the one I chose?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his For additional contact information: "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my to change my dress. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I as the one I chose?' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I think it very unlikely." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just absorbing." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." answer." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." recover the gem." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not evidence," I remarked. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Yes, that is the Crown." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he of Mr. Rucastle's." "Have you it here?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Frequently." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The public press." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old problems help me to do so." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And I say east," said my patient. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Eyford at 11:15.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And you don't know his address?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. ran thus: mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this evidence," I remarked. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'I have heard so.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Certainly, madam." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The bonnet, and went out." characteristics, but those are the more obvious."