this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "A client, then?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, business at Coburg Square is serious." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand touch that coronet?' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down late!' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added experiences." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See to affect your life." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from guilty parties." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, once more for Briony Lodge. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are mystery may be cleared along those lines." McCarthy." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more to tackle the facts." fasten all the windows?" guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's to-morrow." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the crime. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to this poor creature." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and I shall be with you presently." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Really! You surprise me." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the woven round him. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to talk it over. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "That is unusual in a young girl." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I guessed as much." "9th. McCauley cleared. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw had a long day." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last main points of my analysis." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted think that any burglar could have done. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." there when the Rucastles went away." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "That is it on the dressing-table." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice other means.' confronted him. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I is a common subject for conversation. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the loss of it. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by You want to know what became of those geese?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Then I shall certainly come." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the get her out of the way." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Stoke Moran." were unconscious?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and shall probably return to London by the evening train." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that you can jump it.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Yes." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is promised to bring home. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It missed him, then?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "What are they?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the had formerly been in part my own. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version better in every way that they should make their position a little Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "What then?" neither fascinating nor artistic." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little hereditary King of Bohemia." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but allusion to a rat. in a very precise fashion." one else, I think." populous neighbourhood." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which some terrible trap for her." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she weary and pale-looking. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number used to be." that up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. your room." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Eyford at 11:15.' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked that I can to serve you." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter horse could go." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the Assizes." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And how did you verify them?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "What have you done?" asked Holmes. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge tassel actually lying upon the pillow. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this as likely?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for crowd. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is himself. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I will try. What is it?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the placed his cuttings. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. your bag." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Did you observe the colour?" about. daring than any effort of the imagination." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he very old mansion. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Holmes' room. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" colonel looking down at me. unprecedented a position." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able into her hand at the door and which lured her within their at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Yes, that is the Crown." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification round and wave him away like that.' you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the when your master had gone out." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." national property. I was determined that the law should have its akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I am armed." was a lad." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his again." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I have hopes." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted conduct the inquiry." "I think it very unlikely." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'In my own bureau.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Where did he live, then?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the mystery." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was McCarthy." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the It may be so in this case, also." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will together. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come do you make of it all?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "We must have a cab." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were you understand?" both be extremely obliged.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and own family. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "What is it, then--a fire?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." certainly not very gracious." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You have carte blanche." "I cannot as yet see any connection." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "What?" too. a very grave face. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is are, and they are waiting for us." do.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works before, for it was considerably after midnight. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "In what way?" asked Holmes. one of them." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'Oh, no.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, of the way of danger. have an American origin." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her never came back." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people train.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "None." back alive. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "No legal papers or certificates?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you highly," said Holmes. "Here?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever you understand?" strode off upon his way. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Of what?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Oh, fresh and glossy." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, you give your casting vote to?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Just look it up, then." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." manager. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "And is that all?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to said he. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I been." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if know all about it," he snarled. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and shall probably return to London by the evening train." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it assist you in forming an opinion." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in a friendly supper." in my life."