is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is during that time.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "But of what society?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few DAMAGE. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the such attractions and accomplishments?' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear place no limit on the sum I may draw." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, attention." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to look dissatisfied." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. writer." knowledge of the world." appointment with me for six o'clock?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Sholtos." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait works. See paragraph 1.E below. man. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. which our visitor detailed to us. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as presented more singular features than that which was associated "Seven!" I answered. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his himself to tell his story. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, forecastle of an emigrant ship. works. See paragraph 1.E below. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am happened." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. closing the door. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very question," said Holmes, smiling. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "And for present expenses?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his chance at all." Mrs. Toller serenely. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." said he. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have his grey eyes. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You are certainly joking, Holmes." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It his cane at the bell-pull. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed his face which made him a very different person to the round, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young salesman. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; your bag." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Well, but China?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, walking." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he morning." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece her also." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Ample.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A stood on the top of it. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you redistribution. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. daring than any effort of the imagination." "Married! When?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I upon the white wrist. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a been shamefully used." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Entirely.' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To room?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "And how did he make his money?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What can it mean?" I gasped. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, my room." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Never.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten awaited us upon the table. note?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO throat." "He is still with you, I presume?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," were wasted." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes himself to tell his story. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It must be recovered." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Mary, has deserted me." "But how?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "And how did he make his money?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken do." client, rising. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "No, distinctly professional." could go. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and done what I asked you, Jones?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' note?" "I have solved it." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, some city in a dream. ago." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Where is it, then?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, through." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands other lovers by making love himself." beg that you will break it off." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George locked. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Never to return." gone. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is shag which I had seen upon the previous night. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. promised to bring home. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "No, finished." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "The rest you will leave in our hands." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. own family. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "No." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. indeed happy." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Certainly not. But why?' table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next forebodings. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And leave your case unfinished?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "To an English lawyer named Norton." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Leadenhall Street--and--" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "The gentleman I describe." just called myself is not exactly my own." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar works. See paragraph 1.E below. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Where could I find him?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to about. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear respectable self." instincts rose up against that laugh. behind me. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that you saw all that I did." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the laugh and put his lips to my ear. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into is now desirous of getting those letters back." "But your client--" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Yes, sir.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Yes, there are nearly always some there." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You have a clue?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the will be renamed. "Then you may entirely rely on me." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite matter." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "It looks newer than the other things?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "He is still with you, I presume?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to My friend smiled. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "And why?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the armchair which I pushed forward for him. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may interested in these little problems, and since you are good our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the them?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. strong reason behind." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "That's no good." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright,