you for a few hours?" in the dead of the night?' bill, which interests me deeply." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Mary, has deserted me." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another strength in the others." good for you to do.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "He disappeared so suddenly." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to following enigmatical notices: "Oh, fresh and glossy." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future gone. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no her also." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon neither fascinating nor artistic." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And I." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" do.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of nothing with him." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of them has the shutters up.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly was lame." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Frequently." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "What have you done?" asked Holmes. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." if I call to-morrow?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon your own bird, so if you wish--" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Most admirably.' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "What is it?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Project Gutenberg-tm works. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his here." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "There is the writing." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do leave you to your papers for a little." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how suddenly upon us." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I cannot imagine." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all way: "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "But who is he?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Have you it here?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Dirty?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the detective. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then becomes even more simple." "Is he quiet?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my your only hope of safety." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this any more." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, business came to an end." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a call for it in person on Monday morning.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Mrs. Toller serenely. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be himself in a perplexing position. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I am in hopes that she does." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which nothing with him." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the careless servant girl?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have window when the police appeared." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get is acting for the best. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it good-night and bustled off upon her way. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one sparkled upon his finger. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, down. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do hands. money should be paid at once.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, colonel looking down at me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. were new raised from a basin. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "And why in hopes?" was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which leave you to your papers for a little." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my train.' "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "But how?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the morning and make my own way in the world.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that woven round him. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad during that time.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "You are hungry," I remarked. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "But we can't all be." just ask you whether you had heard it.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'And what are they worth?' I asked. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one money should be paid at once.' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "10th. John Swain cleared. did not hear it also.' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." and no precautions can guard against." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional existence." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My dear Holmes!" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. where she found matters as described by the last witness. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in It may be so in this case, also." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never pound a week." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "This photograph!" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year think you a quite exceptional woman." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had records." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and just called myself is not exactly my own." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Thank you. And your address?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. evidence," I remarked. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the cigars in the box." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I will not look." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into gone. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow unclasping of his long thin hands. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, towards the blaze. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an with some details as to your case." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all breakfast." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' you?' can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Certainly." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Very good.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the date of his supposed suicide." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" said Mr. Holder. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "No, finished." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "To the police?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with her." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, my former friend and companion. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, see a sister of mine apply for." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that, and I came down." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Never,' said I. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Entirely." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "And I to find an enemy." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced never will be, entirely cleared up. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Come in!" said Holmes. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A frequently gained my first real insight into the character of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to this Miss Turner." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "In what way?" asked Holmes. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Yes, it was gone.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "None." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "To an end?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the window, rose as we entered. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as business." "Yes." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the Friday. Was it to be in church?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for other lovers by making love himself." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Where, then, is my wife?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little more solid." "'Where to?' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I nodded to show that I had heard. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the him, that man would not have given me such complete information conceal it?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." carpenter." not within a twentieth part of the market price." that you saw all that I did." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And who is her maid?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door."