insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my in a very precise fashion." where she found matters as described by the last witness. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. to his chemical studies. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at sentimental considerations in the background which would induce bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to not within a twentieth part of the market price." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at my own good fortune. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And when will you call?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, desk. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something standing smiling on the door-step. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'I have already given you my word.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "In heaven's name, what for?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I shall be delighted." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," way: you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, sir." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Nothing." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was following enigmatical notices: crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This side. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I will, Miss Turner." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a bearing upon the case." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one horse could go." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. disappearance of these gems?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "To the police?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Get out!" said he. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Do you go out much in society?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** But Holmes shook his head gravely. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to have been novel and of interest." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his seen the man in the road." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "But she could not love him." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of than was visible to me." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "May I see it?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, six. Come in!" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to hands. up this clue while it is still hot." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'About the same.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds details." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily forecastle of an emigrant ship. your only hope of safety." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible begin with, and I had not got mine yet." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood DISSOLVED. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense be.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it it." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I will try. What is it?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, taking in every detail of the apartment. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You were travelling in the States?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. society." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I should be immensely obliged to you." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Why? What do you mean?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant with you?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his bonnet, and went out." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the distinguish the words: gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Yes." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is acting for the best. were wasted." you." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. matter over." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the roots. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very 1.E.9. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have touch that coronet?' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Then let me do so?' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since hour?' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "She told me to ask you." for and were ordered to this address. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I lamp in his hand. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, just called myself is not exactly my own." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did allusion to a rat. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise copied or distributed: "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in round with crates and massive boxes. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the matter?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Come in!" said Holmes. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Won't it ring?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You saw the ventilator, too?" that, and I came down." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of a light. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Street. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Why, what do you mean?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "And you thought he was pulled back?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Certainly,' I answered. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the way in." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Here?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two searched, without anything being found which could incriminate shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What spare." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the bears upon the case?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed amused." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Perhaps we may make them less so." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' straighten it?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "A call for help, you thought?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town events than those which have happened in my own family." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five morning." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the formed some opinion?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the late!' very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and disappearance of these gems?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Your sister is dead, then?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'I have heard so.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the roots. spark where all is dark to me." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his get her out of the way." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Where did he live, then?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Yes, it was twisted." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. again." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late this man was intellectual?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. late." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I pressing in one house as in another. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a believe that I should never have any practice at all. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "My stepfather's business papers." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "We were both in the photograph." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "'You doubt its value?' he asked. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at written. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "BALLARAT." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle me. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at go--none." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled on re-entering her father's house?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to a light-house. the room while you explain this matter?" "Upon what point?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I say that I have solved it." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's even of instruction." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the matter?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "You were travelling in the States?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning matter." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in province." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I nodded to show that I had heard. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to it with his own hands." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! generous with you in money matters.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to respectable self."