"Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door colonel looking down at me. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It was." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project something of him before." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have your co-operation." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know writers could invent nothing more crude." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and the church but not where the lady lived." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sparkled upon his finger. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker next day. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, past. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will The telegram which we eventually received came late one night cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted present." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "But you have hopes?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Where, then?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either during the last few years, and there are many noble families to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he The note was undated, and without either signature or address. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But the mystery?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that she might be summoned. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has in his power. the night.' the driver. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "9th. McCauley cleared. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of which are rolled in Rotterdam." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the written. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "What office?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or indeed which he could not unravel. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Dr. Becher's." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And did you observe any change in her then?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly despair." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Upon what point?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to forecastle of an emigrant ship. "No, finished." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I am about to be married." present." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, strength in the others." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection thirty. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Did you observe the colour?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down business at Coburg Square is serious." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I say it is." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense here." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to miss it." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary interests were the same as his." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was forbidden door. coat-tails." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "My stepfather's business papers." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" carriage. It was a chestnut." "'I have already given you my word.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "None." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Was your sister dressed?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. him. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I yet." go back?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and put his glass in his pocket. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Holmes' face clouded over. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Nothing." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do fatally injured? had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'In my own bureau.' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You were travelling in the States?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming which should have the effect of calling the attention of the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was For additional contact information: "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you both be extremely obliged.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing seen the man in the road." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down problems help me to do so." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "You horrify me." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It is possible." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then again on its way. "Here?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I way in." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite such person." figure." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you conceal it?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Never.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my sooner or later she must fall a victim. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Nothing." "No, my brougham is waiting." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of your troubles." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the tragedy. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Who was the criminal, then?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," stammered. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of chance at all." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And what did you learn from him?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are lamp. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Yes." "'Never.' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the exactly what you advise." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me sit on the left-hand side of the driver." shaken than I had ever seen him. them?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Quite so. She has her freedom." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Then what has happened to him?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said locked. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his approach us with offers to donate. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was horse could go." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon him to go away.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. them?" "Was he the only applicant?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "My private note-paper." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "But she could not love him." "That was it, sir." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of discontent upon his features. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Was your sister dressed?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between had no one to advise her at such a crisis." she to prove their authenticity?" opportunities to fix the problem. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a you do it in twenty minutes!' ways of our fellow-men." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall woman." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove he bowed and left the room without another word. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited back alive. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, fatally injured? Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the seem to you to be relevant or not." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, what is your own theory as to what took place?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, papers." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Why did you pick him?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Certainly not.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom gone. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her arms and began to sob in a high treble key. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as used to be." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, garden below. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and question," said Holmes, smiling. "Of Friday, June 19th." indeed happy." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But to whom?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. ceremony." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here union?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of better in every way that they should make their position a little "This concluded the examination of the witness." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen visitors." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it himself. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and effective." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily posted to-day." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and had died away into the silence from which it rose. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken formed some opinion?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Of Friday, June 19th." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "If so, much may have happened between." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. despaired of." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Ample." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. The summons was a brief and urgent one. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the inquest, and which are worth considering." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set back to my heart. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We electronic works father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham off." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well drove away. suddenly upon us." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by