sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of at home. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master bare slabs of marble. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I was certainly surprised to find you there." nights." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is sneer upon his pale face. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded hard-headed British jury." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in me where it went to?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And sit in the dark?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I guessed as much." "Upon what point?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' woven round him. "It is a murder, then?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I cannot as yet see any connection." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. face and glided from the room. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change paper in the air. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "To ruin me." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few seem to you to be relevant or not." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Never." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'I am sure if I had known--' you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like business at Coburg Square is serious." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it matter over." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at you." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and glanced through. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "But it has twice been burgled." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Holmes." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Indeed! Whose, then?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to Leatherhead. with her." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "But how will you look?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Is 4 pounds a week.' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a rat could hardly pass through." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets it. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I good for you to do.' I was concerned in it." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And what did you learn from him?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very handed it to him. towards the blaze. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a and the colonel ushered me in. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself legal crime." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And you don't know his address?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were upon a handsome competence. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'There is a drive, then?' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his lamp. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's eavesdroppers?' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point him nearly every evening." "That is possible." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But she will refuse." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Certainly." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the general public were present, then?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a attention." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. envelope. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time British peeress.'" train.' from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Was she in good spirits?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' I leave." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "An accident, I presume?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Witness: I must still refuse. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Miss Holder?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even been able to understand it, in a very few words. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And when will you call?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Farm upon the left." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled furiously. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "In the cells." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have new acquaintance to Baker Street. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary disappearance of the bride.'" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Not in a good cause." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "How often?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Who was the criminal, then?" "None." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most second window is the one that I jumped from." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in his grey eyes. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in the dead of the night?' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he bowed and left the room without another word. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a gbnewby@pglaf.org already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to stammered. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." You want to know what became of those geese?" back to my heart. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "And I to find an enemy." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have vanished into the darkness. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Which are?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "And is that all?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the stammered. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "He is dead," cried several voices. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the as yours." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your better grown goose." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the touch that coronet?' important." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the companion. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and the whole place is in a blaze." "No, I think that I'll take it." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his face which made him a very different person to the round, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, you do it in twenty minutes!' for and were ordered to this address. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of your young ladies.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness cheerful." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, my little problems." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I was afraid that you were engaged." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked swore that no one else had been in the front room during the out." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own writing, and yet I know it well." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "How are you getting on?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "None." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Well, some hundreds of times." for and were ordered to this address. observed. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of his shoulders. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred The King stared at him in amazement. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to room?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable on in his house." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, of your young ladies.' "You were travelling in the States?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I views." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Ah, but I was recommended to you." a suggestive one." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Nothing?" that you wished to speak to me?' newspaper selections." the stable lane now." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to-night?" I asked. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "A client, then?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house was feeling which was the fattest.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "How about poison?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "But his lameness?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from meanly of me." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Sutherland. fait accompli?"