there." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a indeed happy." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." arrested. You then--" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." McCarthy." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Holmes, the busybody!" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. cause to be." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six outside. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Ah!" light and attacked it." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You don't mind breaking the law?" "But you have hopes?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried bachelor.' and the whole place is in a blaze." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that it were putty." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the roots. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for to go into your room and bar your shutters?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Imitated." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even six. Come in!" "I shall be delighted." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned mystery!" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without question you as to those details which seem to me to be most horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "He might." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a neither fascinating nor artistic." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "That is not always so easy." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And what did you learn from him?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned little trying to do so much typewriting?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "What!" he roared. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "But how?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Just look it up, then." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't points to suicide?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks outside. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and inquire as to the address." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his a room. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "My dear Holmes!" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I think it very unlikely." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Always." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that IS "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'What are you doing there?' he asked. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "And the cigar-holder?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the upon the white wrist. clanging. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah good for you to do.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "By no means." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Tired-looking or fresh?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of them has the shutters up.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, forbidden door. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And I." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "That you are never beaten." Holmes." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Then let me do so?' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the at home. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." with you?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'In my own bureau.' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind train from Paddington which would bring you there at about this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that tell me that you intended to go into harness." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was shining brightly. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I cannot tell." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Have you good authority for what you say?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely III. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I clang of the bell. himself in a perplexing position. bare slabs of marble. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Proceed, then." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and I shall be with you presently." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the heavy and sharp instrument." she might be summoned. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "No sign of it?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Nothing." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were later, upon the night of May 2nd." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy must compliment you." became a certainty. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature mystery." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hard-headed British jury." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' towards the blaze. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate suddenly upon us." eavesdroppers?' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the trifles." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would without success. At last the little money which I had saved began farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of nice household for a young lady." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Where did you address your letters, then?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "On Monday." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an rose-bushes. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. investigation." meant it for the best. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Oh, yes, easily." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of electronic works reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "But I am all in the dark." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as manager. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to have that photograph." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sake, don't!" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, occupations.' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I humiliation." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are yet." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! have established a very serious case against the son of the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "The Cedars?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." your billet.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. October 9, 1890. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Nor running a chance of arrest?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not which we had just quitted. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to his chemical studies. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Nothing?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life fatally injured? "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the weary and pale-looking. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "My stepfather's business papers." voice. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Was the window open?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "And now?" He raised his hand. "To the police?" entirely devoid of interest." it." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my this remarkable episode. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "This concluded the examination of the witness." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "No, distinctly professional." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in open." "Where, then, is my wife?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are crime." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and nonsense.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for maid will bring up your coffee." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the address that was given us in the advertisement. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "I cannot think." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had a little more before I quite committed myself. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I name is different." Sutherland. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of the efforts of the United States government and of the better fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" more terrible than the truth. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'I have heard so.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" a little more before I quite committed myself. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes." which was all perfectly true. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'About the same.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated carriage. It was a chestnut." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I am to be neutral?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the indiscretion." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of at my remark. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Well?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong late!' your most interesting statement." next day. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin