it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness is worth.' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all matter over." "He disappeared so suddenly." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such upon the white wrist. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Your sister is dead, then?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is have an American origin." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such me upon any point which I do not make clear." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "And the cigar-holder?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in this way: "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of it with the greatest attention. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or with some details as to your case." "The knees of his trousers." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much again." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Who by?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the have accepted such a situation. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Certainly not.' least a fellow-countryman. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I fear not." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "'There is a drive, then?' Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Yes, certainly." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It is possible." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the results." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, said he. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. business." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Have you good authority for what you say?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming served to weaken the effect. Miss Holder?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this throat." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, away into the river." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I been." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant this remarkable episode. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the disappearance of these gems?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, nice household for a young lady." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most all?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a upon an income of about 60 pounds." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax points to suicide?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Whose house is it?" "And what did you see?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." McCarthy." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "One of his hands." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's unclasping of his long thin hands. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in brain must have something in it." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at business came to an end." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from hair?' evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the coronet in his hand?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and mystery!" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Witness: Nothing definite. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over which it had come upon my father." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Heh?' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the roots. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Chief Executive and Director said Mr. Holder. case before our client came into the room." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Oh, fresh and glossy." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two in him." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through down. "His face fell immediately. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were chemical work which was so dear to him. ceremony." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to strength of mind to control. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire stammered. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and wait." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say intrusion of other matters." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a room?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. horse could go." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I shall continue with my miserable story. "I am in hopes that she does." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six make me his representative both with the servants and with the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "The landlord of the Alpha." "And you thought he was pulled back?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a his fortune, and I went back to pa. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "The Cedars?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But you can know nothing of this?" photograph?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated your co-operation." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to have been novel and of interest." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "That's no good." she used." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and to Leatherhead. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those not interfere, come what may. You understand?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small wall." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What do you mean?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I had this final quarrel? envelope. and effective." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of out." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Ten to two.' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We rooms." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Get out!" said he. straightened it out again. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "But to whom?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your arrested. You then--" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened easy-going way." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed any more." them?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Tired-looking or fresh?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his knowledge of the world." ashen face. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I think that it is very probable." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Eh? What was that?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until next day. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and that he would see to anything that turned up. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He forehead. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And what did you see?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had never came back." already been minutely examined." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "You are certainly joking, Holmes." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the hair?' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined something of him before." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "In San Francisco, a year ago." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Perhaps I have." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there this poor creature." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Not in a good cause." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "You did not overhear what they said?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should prisoner's face. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, chill to my heart. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and capable of preserving a secret.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that details." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The lamp in his hand. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully it. his forehead." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through union?" with some details as to your case." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the loss of it. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just works. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Never." "Stolen, then." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the tragedy. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "You did not overhear what they said?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of galvanised. mystery." voice. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The DAMAGE. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the morning and make my own way in the world.' that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in eat it." been." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have of it with the greatest attention. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Yes." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. your troubles." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or