By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line meant it for the best. see a sister of mine apply for." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come weigh very heavily upon my conscience." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I say it is." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time before, for it was considerably after midnight. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." without a word or a look. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under remarked. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little locked." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, at the mines." coroner's jury." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "And you don't know his address?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the not personally threatened." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, which we had just quitted. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss forbidden door. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire gigantic client. held up the lantern and gazed about him. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "But how will you look?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'And the work?' the matter." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord breakfast and whispered something to her husband. notes," he said. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Then I do not see the point." "I am still in the dark." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood occupations.' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but he died? With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not outside. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's name is different." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to said Mr. Holder. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." tail." the child." "A client, then?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you shoulder; "he's all right." "And how did you verify them?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'I am sure if I had known--' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't fear." "Yes, from Horsham." "I was sure that I might rely on you." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Certainly, madam." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Sholtos." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert asked. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were relief. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age that I may have something better before very many minutes are colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to passage and a tap at the door. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable shall use the carriage to-night." assist you in forming an opinion." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shoulder. "Yes." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'Yes, sir.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "But how?" any little problem which you may submit to me." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been it were putty." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his coroner's jury." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Then how many are there?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the papers must be those that are destroyed.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Were they all fastened this morning?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There indeed which he could not unravel. "May I see it?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess fait accompli?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Never,' said I. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly bears upon the case?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the address that was given us in the advertisement. to that open window." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." think you a quite exceptional woman." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But you were on a friendly footing?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "No, I am descending." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square chair. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called neither fascinating nor artistic." "What is it, then--a fire?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into me what he had done with the three missing stones. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon upon the white wrist. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the so far?" door?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." at my own good fortune. I shall communicate with you." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever character. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yesterday." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a showing my impatience. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "In answer to an advertisement." "Stolen, then." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely in this note: can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You have carte blanche." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the learned something! Where are the gems?" to surprise her." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert followed. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to a light-house. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "What do you make of that, Watson?" important." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm points in connection with it which never have been, and probably inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the other lovers by making love himself." "She will not sell." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but me. "What will you say?" "You have the photograph?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the general public were present, then?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "My Mary? Impossible!" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Pray be precise as to details," said he. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I occurred." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "What can it mean?" I gasped. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Heh?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was a lad." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient distinguish the words: danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom society." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature unprecedented a position." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the late." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect strength." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Henry Baker is a member." that?' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the dates and names. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." people don't know." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit that I am arrested." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any absolutely follow my advice in every respect." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young some place of shelter and let the county police know what has is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Yes.' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Then, as to money?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an coroner's jury." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he any." place no limit on the sum I may draw." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Married! When?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Game for a morning drive?" Holmes." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the ceiling. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Project Gutenberg-tm works. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of rooms." suspect him." the tragedy. wall." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. kindly on the shoulder. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon nonsense.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the coroner come to?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's then?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "How did you trace it, then?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I with you alone." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "What! a murderous attack?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "By no means." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk than to us. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hurried away. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "You think that he is dead?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic problems help me to do so." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him other means.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "But your client--" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Certainly, madam." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "If so, much may have happened between." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "In answer to an advertisement." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in What do you deduce from it?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. again before evening." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I do." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Yes?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy take the flies, but not before." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, with you alone." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Your sister is dead, then?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up not fit the lock." "What can it mean?" I gasped. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune his forehead." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is opportunities to fix the problem. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Have you her photograph?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I should wish to." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Who was the criminal, then?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of flock.' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" dead, shall be safe with us." what do you think they found in the pockets?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I am about to be married." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I have come for advice." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other client, rising. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Can I be of assistance?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they