your own bird, so if you wish--" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." next day. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their late!' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Precisely." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A families. Now for the facts. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the ordinary clothes on?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you golden eyeglasses. obstinate." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to-night?" I asked. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Not in the least." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "'Entirely.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with the outside air!" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Breckinridge is his name." "I don't believe it." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Really! You surprise me." him." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Only as much as we can deduce." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Yes.' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just problems help me to do so." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, gone. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered been lifted and conveyed somewhere." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, skylight. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped placed his cuttings. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then empty. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Not yet." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the south-west, I see." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Stoke Moran." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "By no means." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of indeed which he could not unravel. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted in the dead of the night?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. remarked. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I should be immensely obliged to you." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Here?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your wanted for ourselves." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'What do you call purely nominal?' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the window, rose as we entered. have one." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was used.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do one which it was hard to resist. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the night.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from questionable one." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, ago." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then details." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of already been minutely examined." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You have compromised yourself seriously." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now really the only notable feature about the thing." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, my little problems." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "How on earth--" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "The Cedars?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I was mad--insane." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in you." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to I leave." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of him. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we you for a few hours?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these careless servant girl?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is late!' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Chief Executive and Director "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the off." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "You will not go there first?" not come at once?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "On your arm?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round begun to whiten, even as mine has." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about late." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Well, it is a possible supposition." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure noise which awoke you from your sleep?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that experiences." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the figure." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary seem to you to be relevant or not." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, eat it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy your Highness to the police-station?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'Yes, sir.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." man. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and wait." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You don't mind breaking the law?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Stolen, then." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as the one I chose?' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I cannot think." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not within a twentieth part of the market price." power." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it help us in this matter." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest trying to your nerves." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Stoke Moran." photograph a cabinet?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the rose-bushes. McCarthy." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the ceiling. What do you deduce from it?" second window is the one that I jumped from." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." is," said he presently: cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the matter." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Munro.' "At the wedding breakfast." rooms." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have that I can to serve you." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the a monotonous occupation." more solid." and glanced through. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is me." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have crime." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our answered with a sidelong glance. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It looks newer than the other things?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." your co-operation." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Certainly, madam." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "No more words. Get out!" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people enter into my head. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Very. But will he see it?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham became a certainty. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I don't say that. Perhaps." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country colour had been driven from his face. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It certainly sounds feasible." "No, I am descending." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of here and I will read it to you: handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "By no means." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a to surprise her." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he written, and locked the door of the office after me. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. grasp, he hurried from the room. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have him. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg beyond words. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in this note: "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say During two years I have had three consultations and one small the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty will he say when he returns?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might him!" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Then he might have called to you?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to until night should bring an explanation. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Countess of Morcar's?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' lamp. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible memory. everything which you would wish to know." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of call you and give you the chance." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked were unconscious?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between official police." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project morning." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You did not overhear what they said?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." would then never go into court at all." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Always." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but hands. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sneer upon his pale face. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Holmes. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open to miss it." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend a monotonous occupation." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old.