"Imitated." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously that it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I held the little printed slip to the light. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, like that before?" His smile broadened. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the dangers which encompass me." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the King without delay." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have long narrative. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Have you her photograph?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Was she in good spirits?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "What! a murderous attack?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday ran thus: Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "There are none." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of that?' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that he has suffered." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to a light-house. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for has little to do with my story." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back second window is the one that I jumped from." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project presume?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I have solved it." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. quick march!" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among carriage. It was a chestnut." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "But your client--" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross prepare for the new role I have to play." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Where did he live, then?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To hurried away. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Well, it is a possible supposition." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and investigation." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Watson," he said cordially. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "But it has twice been burgled." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in second window is the one that I jumped from." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian 'I should be able to look after that for you.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with spare." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I will, Miss Turner." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." power." sake, don't!" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you leaning back in his chair. someone who had been in Australia." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed dates and names. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into husband's writing, madam." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "None." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third fluttered off among the others. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a companion imperturbably. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, carried out of court." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass you for a few hours?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. allusion to a rat. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "It missed him, then?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Certainly." "Nothing?" take the flies, but not before." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Yes." open." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to clanging. "It is solved." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen License. You must require such a user to return or There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "But the mystery?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It is very clear." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some the side-table." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as papers." relief. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. bird of prey. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that wedding?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lamp in his hand. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "And how did he make his money?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Yes, but only for you and me." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" hard-headed British jury." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that handed it to him. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable views." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much help us in this matter." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, would then never go into court at all." been." obstinate." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little affection." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I have a cab outside." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to presume?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case she slowly sank and died without having recovered her man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon over here." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And what then?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "In what way?" asked Holmes. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "No legal papers or certificates?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by his cane at the bell-pull. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed just called myself is not exactly my own." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little noting anything else of interest. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "You horrify me." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Street. know that the truth is known." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "But he might be a bachelor." "He is still with you, I presume?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he desk. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the father's young wife. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora into the room. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "What will you say?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is morning." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in the dead of the night?' you, my dear young lady?' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." then?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Precisely." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium against a man in the prime of life?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Watson," he said cordially. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's garden below. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The King stared at him in amazement. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and looked back. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my little problems." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. during which he might have communicated with his friend the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the in. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the Assizes." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Come in!" said he. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever towards the blaze. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It now. It seems that there had been some informality about their however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "And I say east," said my patient. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It is solved." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I upon the white wrist. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a very grave face. drove away. opportunities to fix the problem. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "No bad?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what down from London to inquire more deeply into it." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I leave." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Only as much as we can deduce." "Entirely." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I should like to see him very much." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the address that was given us in the advertisement. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. thought that she would have been so carried away." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the For additional contact information: that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for followed. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'What, the red-headed man?' You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps directly by questioning you." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "How can you tell that?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a highroad, where all traces were lost. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I never have." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable himself in a perplexing position. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a train.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of his shoulders. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it records." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "He is still with you, I presume?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so nonsense.' "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." ready to-morrow?' "Certainly." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "So I have heard." was shining brightly. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to Leatherhead. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were tear off another piece?' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety."