"Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I am in hopes that she does." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "The Cedars?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' License. You must require such a user to return or of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has are, and they are waiting for us." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they acquaintance?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge papers on the sundial.'" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Perfectly so." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain occupations.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy works. See paragraph 1.E below. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive bill, which interests me deeply." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, both be extremely obliged.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door sneer upon his pale face. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little acted in my house last night?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on business came to an end." "And why?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "At the wedding breakfast." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': room. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" take the flies, but not before." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then must be when I saw the door open.' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting strength of mind to control. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong reach." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there you understand?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last open." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Never." fait accompli?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "So it appears." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking It may be so in this case, also." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both nonsense.' ashen face. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the to-morrow." case-book, which he consulted. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I cannot tell." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of ourselves in the office." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child colour had been driven from his face. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to have that photograph." views." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an thirty. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." mysterious business." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear acquaintance?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll within hail.' why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It is his hat." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. my former friend and companion. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the our word." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "No, thank goodness, she did not." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the inner apartment." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Never." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the very morning of the wedding." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I will, Miss Turner." leaning back in his chair. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, I shall continue with my miserable story. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six directors have had misgivings upon the subject." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the forbidden door. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard washing it down with a long draught of water. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sofa. This way, please!" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Certainly." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something perplexity from it to my illustrious client. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "VIOLET HUNTER." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of felt the room to be a little close.' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "But I have heard all that you have heard." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and do.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her orange pips. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "So I am. Very much so." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second where Mr. Fordham shows you.' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and no precautions can guard against." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "ARAT," I read. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do at once, for I have only half an hour." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "It is possible." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you ordinary clothes on?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "And Irene Adler?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one always that they were such commands as a lady might with year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "And help." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other nothing of it?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the again." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in 1.F. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, charged with?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that he has suffered." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and will be renamed. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and ventilator." "No, my brougham is waiting." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. said he. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that yourselves in at night?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making During two years I have had three consultations and one small lost his Christmas dinner." What do you deduce from it?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "About a month then." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'And what salary do you ask?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court colonel looking down at me. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His business." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and morning." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Yes, I promise.' "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, golden eyeglasses. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias to tell." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any developed." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for tension within him. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed distance from the station, and there we found the young lady crime. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes, the wine-cellar." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting chill to my heart. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes' face clouded over. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The been with you?" stammered. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about morning." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." comes from the middle window." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I will do it." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I cannot say that I have." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Not yet." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of records." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with is so. I know all about McCarthy." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Where, then?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Do you receive much company?" he asked. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You did not overhear what they said?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler him. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated electronic works "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Holmes rather sternly. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now business?" "We were both in the photograph." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "How did that help you?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was troubles have been weighing upon his mind. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but second." "My Mary? Impossible!" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and bird I ate is country bred." man. "And what did you see?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait for its centre. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might will be renamed. had formerly been in part my own. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and it need not interfere very much with one's other There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "But we can't all be." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want had no one to advise her at such a crisis." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which strong reason behind." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel