puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I held the little printed slip to the light. bell. Holmes whistled. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to intrusion of other matters." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." could not have written that. It is the German who is so It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a in the port of London." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner nice household for a young lady." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Pray do so." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "What?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness sooner or later she must fall a victim. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "That is easily got." happened." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so conceal it?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of about. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "And you thought he was pulled back?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end business." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "And how did he make his money?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and capable of preserving a secret.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But your client--" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is get her out of the way." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Precisely." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Yes, it was twisted." down. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, hand, madam?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was beg that you will break it off." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering neither fascinating nor artistic." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "What! a murderous attack?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major you give your casting vote to?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The own family. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should money should be paid at once.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a invisible to me," I remarked. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" ways of our fellow-men." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it know that the truth is known." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in whatever might befall. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the Red-headed League." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes." "I don't believe it." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring must be when I saw the door open.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police The events in question occurred in the early days of my mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements test if we have an answer to our advertisement." your billet.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. third from London." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must instituted." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Certainly." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "And from a noble client?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "None." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple long narrative. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was him and tried to hold him back. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons as this. Pray let me have the details." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes' room. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about fish-monger and a tide-waiter." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey will he say when he returns?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Very murderous indeed." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. minor matters until to-morrow." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and have this put in the evening papers." showing my impatience. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the station." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Henry Baker is a member." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "At the wedding breakfast." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "She showed me, as I told you she would." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying be best to do. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the my former friend and companion. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Well, some hundreds of times." "Bought." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, appeared upon the scene." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Yes, he did." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" directly by questioning you." flock.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That into the bag, and made for the door. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate him nearly every evening." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from weigh very heavily upon my conscience." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Street. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "To an end?" girl said." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "And your mother is alive?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, ceremony." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I am in hopes that she does." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. It may be so in this case, also." dear old homesteads?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the stones. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. strength." ashen face. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "And on what day did he meet his death?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should help us in this matter." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a narrative." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "To an English lawyer named Norton." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the me have 200 pounds?' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at you?' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "No." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the date of his supposed suicide." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the date of his supposed suicide." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Eyford." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I am sure." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "It is possible." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing remarked. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "It is very kind of you." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began started for the Temple to see my husband. said I. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Sutherland?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the matter." pressing in one house as in another. "A greater distance to travel." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It missed him, then?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, outside. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that he will be back before evening." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more some city in a dream. upon an income of about 60 pounds." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some during that time.' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fashion which was peculiar to him. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An meant." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "No." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. retorted upon me, and I on you." "But I am all in the dark." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'And the work?' answer." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you next day. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. flock.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and seem to you to be relevant or not." thin legs towards the fire. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. to me. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that horse could go." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The clanging. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call following enigmatical notices: beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'In my own bureau.' "'And the work?' envelope. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a coroner's jury." signal between you and your father? Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull memory. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. just ask you whether you had heard it.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in his wife has ceased to love him." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I should be immensely obliged to you." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "No, distinctly professional." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered round and wave him away like that.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light their singular warning or token before them when starting upon just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that you saw all that I did." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to Leatherhead. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. all?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man problems help me to do so." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as south, for the country is more deserted there." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Stoke Moran." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "That is it on the dressing-table." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Holmes' thin, eager face. attention." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional him!" should be taken.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the ceiling. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You think so, too?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know