suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation where she found matters as described by the last witness. himself. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few wanted for ourselves." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I say it is." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the companion. 1.F. discontent upon his features. the warnings." Street. "'Quite sure, dad.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our perplexity from it to my illustrious client. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at characteristics, but those are the more obvious." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as relief. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'And what are they worth?' I asked. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "No. What a strange idea!" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** unprofitable." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I took the paper from him and read as follows: The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall their singular warning or token before them when starting upon long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'I have already given you my word.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be from the brougham. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "That is unusual in a young girl." maid will bring up your coffee." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "No, my brougham is waiting." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a indeed happy." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the do.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Never." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. deduce something from that?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, spark where all is dark to me." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Ah!" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in quite distinctive." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes, only one." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I will get her to show me." "But your client--" "'I have heard so.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' away to you." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to look upon these things in a different way." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt ceremony." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and laid it on the table. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" served to weaken the effect. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." obstinate." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "No, I think that I'll take it." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for companion quietly. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "He slept on the premises." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' awaited us upon the table. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on too. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Where to?" "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child persecution?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "He said too much." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I am not easy in my mind about them." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the or in danger--" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Farm upon the left." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she gone. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But you came in." fire. You quite follow me?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "No." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which she slowly sank and died without having recovered her convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "But of what society?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, vanished into the darkness. stammered. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Yes, sir.' having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. IS "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand taking in every detail of the apartment. "I think it very unlikely." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "What then?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of of receipt of the work. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "That's no good." "There is the writing." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell possible that we could bring him back to her? turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." McCarthy's innocence. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Countess of Morcar's?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from weigh very heavily upon my conscience." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," despaired of." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." directors, with the result that you have seen." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read he. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very points in connection with it which never have been, and probably editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Murdered?" excitement. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." at my remark. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in him. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Of what?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as once more for Briony Lodge. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." upon the white wrist. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project into the room. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "But what harm can there be in that?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Just look it up, then." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." maid will bring up your coffee." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either into the bag, and made for the door. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Pray be precise as to details," said he. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a purpose equally well?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very matter." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in entirely devoid of interest." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, closing the door. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss not interfere, come what may. You understand?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "There are none." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return with her." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy approach us with offers to donate. "'Yes, it was gone.' third from London." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a wedding?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was said he. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I saw her in conversation with her maid." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you want, then?' "My opinion is in no way altered." the devil!" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "It is no ordinary one." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I leave." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You know me, then?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'And what are they worth?' I asked. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be it." may never be exposed to such a temptation." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. The events in question occurred in the early days of my late!' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a these bleak autumnal evenings." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now brandy and water within his reach. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up seven miles from Eyford Station.' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I cannot imagine." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want grasp, he hurried from the room. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "He is still with you, I presume?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." shoulder; "he's all right." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was whatever might befall. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" business matters.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I should like to see him very much." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at with you?" started for the Temple to see my husband. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these nothing with him." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I cannot imagine." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And why?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his shaken than I had ever seen him. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "That is possible." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that I may have something better before very many minutes are bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss not within a twentieth part of the market price." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." sake, don't!" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the roots. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you