until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "And is that all?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect could go. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove foot. "I will, Miss Turner." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are green of the new foliage. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very child?' foot. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The to some other building. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. bare slabs of marble. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Not in a good cause." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" front of me. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and it need not interfere very much with one's other any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from again on its way. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I leave." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I approached. "It came here." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Dark enough and sinister enough." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Yes, there are nearly always some there." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet hour." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'And what salary do you ask?' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are The note was undated, and without either signature or address. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "And it is--" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce bare slabs of marble. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." manager. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your with the outside air!" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and laid it on the table. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local followed. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very all-comprehensive glances. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I am not easy in my mind about them." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I will get her to show me." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "To the police?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So like gravel from a pit.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's information in his hands the value of which he did not himself considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "No." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe affection." answer." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "To the police?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "My opinion is in no way altered." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "What is it?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they woven round him. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you very old mansion. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" matter." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the memory. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." sake, don't!" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Well, but China?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and glanced through. "And you can do nothing until then?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an For additional contact information: "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself him to go away.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have got?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Yes, sir." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Your presence might be invaluable." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I came to find a friend." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my vault. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon guilty one." him to be an active member of the medical profession." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "My own seal." shoulder. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Young McCarthy must be got off, however." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well our word." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a main points of my analysis." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout sofa. This way, please!" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client six. Come in!" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a had this final quarrel? little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a as the one I chose?' transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "We were both in the photograph." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he wife's character?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small father's young wife. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by society." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. my little problems." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Lee, in the county of Kent." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Project Gutenberg-tm works. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off your own bird, so if you wish--" "I cannot imagine." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Very truly yours, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Certainly." electronic works red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure minor matters until to-morrow." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Then how many are there?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my was shining brightly. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "How did that help you?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see mystery." "You don't mind breaking the law?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so weapon." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who might help us?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had extraordinary contortions. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "How did he come?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case man. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. became a certainty. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. you, my dear young lady?' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out thought that she would have been so carried away." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." During two years I have had three consultations and one small morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my more solid." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "No sign of it?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss retorted upon me, and I on you." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the villagers almost as much as their master. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in or other trace. But how on earth--" "Did your wife hear all this?" "I cannot say that I have." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug himself to hunt down. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain fasten all the windows?" "I have a cab outside." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to whereabouts. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of hair?' "If so, much may have happened between." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Tired-looking or fresh?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such miles off. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out despair." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind prisoner's face. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at he died? see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which entirely lost his self-respect." like gravel from a pit.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came away into the river." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "And what did you learn from him?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Ample.' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "'What then?' I asked. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. so far?" noble correspondent could be. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two charged with?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which your own bird, so if you wish--" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin some water from a caraffe. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the devil!" made him keep the appointment." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney away in different directions, and I went off to make my own be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Of what day?" business." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of conceal it?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "What, then, did Peterson do?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I British peeress.'" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. papers diligently of late, have you not?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' there in twenty minutes." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent