disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of thirty. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the coroner come to?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Nothing." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, wedding?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining status with the IRS. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event you?" official police." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. introspective fashion. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." indeed happy." breakfast." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to where he stood hid behind the curtain. bell. Holmes whistled. "I will, Miss Turner." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "It looks newer than the other things?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue enough to aid us in our search." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my past. me what he had done with the three missing stones. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes." there in twenty minutes." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You think that he is dead?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It is true that I have been generally successful." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing noble correspondent could be. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out which it had come upon my father." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which me. You must get home instantly and act." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "What office?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor more terrible than the truth. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Very murderous indeed." one else, I think." "No?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are should be taken.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique orange pips. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted to his chemical studies. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a your equipment. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up October 9, 1890. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "So I am. Very much so." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To becomes even more simple." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well confronted him. your sleep?' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this into the room. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to instincts rose up against that laugh. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and me where it went to?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "And sit in the dark?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great would apply.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could upon a handsome competence. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You are all wrong." ran thus: one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric cup of tea. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "That is also quite modern," said the lady. depend upon your compliance." "And how?" of his shoulders. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "And how have you succeeded?" Countess of Morcar's?" the matter." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss present strange and interesting features that it is no easy between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but here." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than to some other building. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I girl said." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And it is--" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Who by?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else outside. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. other, as fresh and trim as possible. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the suspect him." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden husband's writing, madam." easy-going way." corner of the building. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks not within a twentieth part of the market price." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea your equipment. in his power. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said rat could hardly pass through." and no precautions can guard against." "Entirely." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Which dealer's?' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "No legal papers or certificates?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Where did you address your letters, then?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Holmes rather sternly. them?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, bears upon the case?" mysterious end." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'Never,' said I. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'A dozen yards or so.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Why? What do you mean?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I have solved it." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "In which, sir?" fire. You quite follow me?" unkempt, staring out at me. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "It was an hour's good drive." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'Oh, no.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "There are none." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate keep the flames under. "But to whom?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that he will be back before evening." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal train from Paddington which would bring you there at about In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he will not take me long to tell. rooms." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted straighten it?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "How on earth--" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg have not had my rubber." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'Very good.' "'What, the red-headed man?' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine few hundred pounds.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap woven round him. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, DAMAGE. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without became a certainty. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I have a cab outside." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I should like to see him very much." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my success. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we to Leatherhead. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "But the mystery?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and remarked. seven miles from Eyford Station.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Yes." said I. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I shall most certainly do so." the morning and make my own way in the world.' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I would give my fortune to have them back." Watson," he said cordially. "'Certainly not. But why?' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The gentleman I describe." at my remark. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." three of the beryls in it, was missing. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Oh, yes, easily." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "The rest you will leave in our hands." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. rooms." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. neither fascinating nor artistic." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Absolutely none." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I despaired of." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand most important business. It is probable that he will be away all providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same call the police, let the police find what they can.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than maiden herself was most instructive." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Mrs. Toller serenely. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the habit of advancing money.' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "But you have hopes?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously past. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "And how have you succeeded?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not