man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "And how?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open relief. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Lee, in the county of Kent." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But you can know nothing of this?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Chief Executive and Director little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen what do you think they found in the pockets?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "On the contrary, this is the right side." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And who is her maid?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a been shamefully used." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less morning." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in could go. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as yet." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. kindly on the shoulder. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "But what harm can there be in that?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Yes." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a unkempt, staring out at me. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with chill to my heart. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong them?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Well, it is a possible supposition." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask remarked. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and the whole place is in a blaze." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "You have a clue?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl triumphant cloud from his cigarette. him!" new duties?' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an floor. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not he bowed and left the room without another word. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, go--none." evidence," I remarked. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." be.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What will you do, then?" "And sit in the dark?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a imbecility!" he cried. might help us?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough guilty one." "The landlord of the Alpha." will not take me long to tell. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From October 9, 1890. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable as yours." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled or in danger--" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the loss of it. seven miles from Eyford Station.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." wedding?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he distance from the station, and there we found the young lady ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which are rolled in Rotterdam." gbnewby@pglaf.org "We must have a cab." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of note-paper. It read in this fashion: a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Were they all fastened this morning?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "What office?" the window, rose as we entered. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "That is unusual in a young girl." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended may have an influence upon European history." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one hard-headed British jury." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I am all attention, madam." society." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in arrested. You then--" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "How often?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for next day. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the maiden herself was most instructive." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "It missed him, then?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose question," said Holmes, smiling. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my begun to whiten, even as mine has." he. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home happened." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there if I call to-morrow?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies cigars in the box." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Bought." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; instincts rose up against that laugh. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and something of him before." "At the wedding breakfast." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, happened." father's young wife. "What I expected to see." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss morning." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As straightened it out again. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Then I am your man." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush appointment with me for six o'clock?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him see a sister of mine apply for." to a more successful conclusion." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Do you know him?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging anything to do with the matter?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by ordinary clothes on?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But he might be a bachelor." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "In answer to an advertisement." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I walking." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "But who is he?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "That was it, sir." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Her father is very rich?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ourselves in the office." hour?' "You forget that I know nothing about it." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the away into the river." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "'What then?' I asked. "I see no marks." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "What then?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, dear old homesteads?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that, and I came down." the stable lane now." "I don't believe it." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'And the work?' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to we went to search for him, face downward in a little Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the DAMAGE. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "But what is it you wish?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Pray let us have it, for all that." strength in the others." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and not, dad?" she asked. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "What! a murderous attack?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did indiscretion." "Not in the least." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Then, how do you know?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'Ample.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "You have a clue?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement be sorry for having acted so harshly." him, that man would not have given me such complete information and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." touch that coronet?' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I answered that I had not. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Then I do not see the point." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the is acting for the best. them, and came down just as you departed. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the Assizes." criminal. We have already had experience of such." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a nonsense.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "But how did you gain them?" "You have the photograph?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off appointment with me for six o'clock?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious