many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from as he folded up the epistle. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "No, I had a dozen." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and a monotonous occupation." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the anything to do with the matter?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third What do you deduce from it?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "It surprised me." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "But you have hopes?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: in this way: latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the criminal. We have already had experience of such." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the coronet at all injured?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Only as much as we can deduce." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "No sign of it?" was a lad." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to article?" union?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still trying to your nerves." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Foundation collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by imbecility!" he cried. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security their singular warning or token before them when starting upon had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "On Monday." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you with you?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the one as in the other." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad everything which you would wish to know." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Certainly,' I answered. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. this unhappy family?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a fatally injured? considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have enter into my head. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the it with his own hands." I leave." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'And what are they worth?' I asked. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then eavesdroppers?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" him to be an active member of the medical profession." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes, sir." "Yes." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "How long did she speak to this Alice?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the coronet at all injured?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I was mad--insane." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "And how?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it three fields round his house, and there he would take his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Really! You surprise me." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies future lives." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature until night should bring an explanation. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned My friend smiled. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the important." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled place no limit on the sum I may draw." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I words came to my lips. "Not particularly." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed morning." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Oh, no.' but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to tell." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "In answer to an advertisement." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." written. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could danger is over." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "But you would not advise me to refuse?" joking. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or events than those which have happened in my own family." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." already referred to. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Serpentine Avenue. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "And why?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Did you become engaged then?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "About a month then." towards the blaze. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses until night should bring an explanation. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'I have heard so.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'And what salary do you ask?' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he some place of shelter and let the county police know what has my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of families. Now for the facts. "'Is purely nominal.' doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." not, dad?" she asked. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event will not take me long to tell. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what should be taken.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the not within a twentieth part of the market price." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the child." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the station." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Witness: Nothing definite. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. again before evening." "No." where she found matters as described by the last witness. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the giving me time to thank him. new acquaintance to Baker Street. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" strong reason behind." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Ten will be early enough." "And it is--" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "None. Neville wrote those words." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We electronic works reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of receipt of the work. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that you wished to speak to me?' "There is the writing." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn persecution?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Indeed! Whose, then?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It was an hour's good drive." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to talk it over. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little in your London, you will know that the office of the company is side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It's nothing of the kind." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." interests were the same as his." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "She walked into the breakfast-room." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Eyford at 11:15.' "Perhaps I have." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Holmes." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. on re-entering her father's house?" "Seven!" I answered. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would whole matter to your consideration." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the orange pips. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Nothing." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch arrested. You then--" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Yes, sir." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'Never,' said I. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the that departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "To an English lawyer named Norton." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, http://gutenberg.net/license). us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Stolen, then." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I have hopes." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wedding?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "It is solved." "Nothing." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes, it would be as well." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and I leave." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I quick march!" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, chill to my heart. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had was used.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Imitated." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Never." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the think that any burglar could have done. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "That is not always so easy." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey any more." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself thought that she would have been so carried away." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall any little problem which you may submit to me." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was unprecedented a position." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The are, and they are waiting for us." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did