walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet appeal." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and capable of preserving a secret.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, delirious. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the important." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening footfalls from the street. next day. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It is his hat." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hurried by. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the side-table." less than 26s. 4d. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "The knees of his trousers." do you make of it all?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the morning and make my own way in the world.' walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Mrs. Toller serenely. "This photograph!" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Eh? What was that?" name is different." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had call you and give you the chance." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "To the police?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I would pay ten." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "At half-wages, in fact." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Yes." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Not I." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, 11:15.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of campaign. the King without delay." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Precisely." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "How often?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Texas, I think." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' bachelor.' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "No good news?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. generous with you in money matters.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, purpose equally well?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are me upon any point which I do not make clear." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I will try. What is it?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed answered with a sidelong glance. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the that you can jump it.' there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you depend upon my doing so.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I woven round him. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "I cannot imagine." long narrative. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the woven round him. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the room while you explain this matter?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' assist you in forming an opinion." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently it with his own hands." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical guilty parties." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'It is locked up,' I answered. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we populous neighbourhood." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector business matters.' thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The rest you will leave in our hands." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and with you alone." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual fasten all the windows?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. to change my dress. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it right.' roused himself from his reverie. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "But how?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small purpose equally well?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here absolutely follow my advice in every respect." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. detective. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on to-night?" I asked. "How can you tell that?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can 1.F. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the knowledge of the world." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Nothing." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you who was a member of your goose club." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Farm upon the left." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm your Highness to the police-station?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would he bowed and left the room without another word. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping present." depend upon your compliance." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he speckled band?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an closely." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall charge against him will break down." "What are they?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out posted to-day." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the devil!" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "You have the photograph?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that matters immensely." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given served to weaken the effect. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Of Friday, June 19th." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Watson," he said cordially. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Why, what do you mean?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will instituted." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Ample." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to you." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I have come for advice." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the window, rose as we entered. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Where is it, then?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" writer." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the devil!" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "No, but the enclosure is." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father could not have written that. It is the German who is so shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying second." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed morning." in one or two places in England?' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner speckled band?" certainly do as you advise." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I me have 200 pounds?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bearing upon the case." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity are windows in it, of course?" washing it down with a long draught of water. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who anything to a woman, for she would have her way." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the with the outside air!" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect chill to my heart. "Stolen." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the very letters. But what is this written above them?' over here." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Indeed! Whose, then?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were key of the affair now." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and have this put in the evening papers." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, there when the Rucastles went away." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. good for you to do.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "He is dead," cried several voices. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out suddenly upon us." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I don't believe it." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be into the bag, and made for the door. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "What! Had he lost his wife?" ways of our fellow-men." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "My photograph." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'I am sure that I do not know.' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own is now desirous of getting those letters back." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all people don't know." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." walking." more solid." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled newspaper selections." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "It must be recovered." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if he bowed and left the room without another word. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Who by?" tail." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those train from Paddington which would bring you there at about a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What, then, did Peterson do?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Countess of Morcar's?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." back alive. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in never came back." gentleman's clothes. "And that is--" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this leaning back in his chair. the morning and make my own way in the world.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Won't it ring?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I cannot imagine." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning his huge brown hands. asked with his eyes open. "No. What a strange idea!" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unclasping of his long thin hands. "Where to?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Where did you address your letters, then?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a have not had my rubber." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of night.' said he. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "By no means." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly disturbance in my wife." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes most important business. It is probable that he will be away all home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the bed, and you in that chair." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Here?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six you in yours." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, like that before?" is four-and-twenty." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," here and I will read it to you: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home