"I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that there was nothing in it, after all." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an present strange and interesting features that it is no easy back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" new acquaintance to Baker Street. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. outside. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." your equipment. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of promised to bring home. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "But you can know nothing of this?" "Nothing?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "You saw the ventilator, too?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's anything to do with the matter?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet this truth that in these little records of our cases which you rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'I have already given you my word.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "She told me to ask you." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Quite so. She has her freedom." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "What is it?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to miss it." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, it." "And Irene Adler?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Where, indeed?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went upon the white wrist. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent http://www.gutenberg.net "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the presume?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his wedding?" a little more before I quite committed myself. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to must be when I saw the door open.' "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Again Holmes raved in the air. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'You cannot say what it was?' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the iron safe, which he closed upon it. one of the states of the Union." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's happened." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the loss of it. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Has he come with you to-night?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood over with notes and figures. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sufficient punishment." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the hour." and I shall be with you presently." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The my former friend and companion. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "What! a murderous attack?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "No more words. Get out!" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan presented more singular features than that which was associated what do you think they found in the pockets?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to-night?' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" residence of the great financier. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I guessed as much." lamp. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "How can you tell that?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "How on earth--" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "My private note-paper." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Certainly." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' persecution?" "Was the window open?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Holmes rather sternly. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened you found me to-night--and running through the front room she cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I woman." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but leave you to your papers for a little." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, sneer upon his pale face. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for to miss it." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "To ruin me." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my you." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out of it with the greatest attention. "'And the work?' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the him, that man would not have given me such complete information him. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' For additional contact information: dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. jewels which you have stolen?' the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the respectable self." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and new duties?' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your could not have written that. It is the German who is so remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Just look it up, then." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm out of this horrible affair." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Was he the only applicant?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, secret." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Pray do so." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Not in the least." Does that suggest anything?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "And the cigar-holder?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As happened." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and events, Mr. Windibank!" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Serpentine Avenue. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, infinite languor in his face. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is better grown goose." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it unprofitable." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this completely overtopped every other consideration that we both without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of the one which your family is now devouring." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" have accepted such a situation. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in during that time.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Stoke Moran?" said he. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely if only as a check to my own memory." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, but preventing her from injuring another. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full distinguish the words: We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all some terrible trap for her." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Count Von Kramm." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. joking. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Do you go out much in society?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." union?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, upon an income of about 60 pounds." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I nodded again. said I. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Where does the thing come from?' pound a week." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. your sleep?' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor better grown goose." should be taken.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." showing my impatience. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to have been novel and of interest." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Was he the only applicant?" "And Irene Adler?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at very morning of my second wedding." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I 1.E.9. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At garden below. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I see many objections to any such theory." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "My dear Holmes!" of his shoulders. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Come in!" said he. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I other lovers by making love himself." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you events than those which have happened in my own family." one which it was hard to resist. again." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." whole matter to your consideration." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "A thing like a cleaver," said he. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Of what?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, hands. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't matter." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I took the paper from him and read as follows: dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Of what?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No, distinctly professional." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was ourselves in the office." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very should be taken.'