"And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much recover the gem." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I was mad--insane." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "It is a murder, then?" get the tickets." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight records." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you do it in twenty minutes!' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out sofa. This way, please!" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Heh?' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John tell me that you intended to go into harness." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, During two years I have had three consultations and one small the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room vault. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "What of the rat, then?" 11:15.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit were new raised from a basin. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Never,' said I. "At the wedding breakfast." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the was a lad." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to his face which made him a very different person to the round, had this final quarrel? has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I upon the shelf for the interim." know that the truth is known." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Was your sister dressed?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Surrey." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. through." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Then you may entirely rely on me." then?" "You will not go there first?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this never to learn it at all." respectable self." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which intrusion of other matters." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense answer." formed some opinion?" meant it for the best. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white correct than the official force." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was existence." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few asked with his eyes open. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'I shall certainly be there.' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'Never.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I will get her to show me." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of straighten it?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "You don't mind breaking the law?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of his shoulders. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And how did you find out?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in clanging. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She in his hands." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "No, I think that I'll take it." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. said he. the stones. "On your arm?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is when your master had gone out." never will be, entirely cleared up. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Yesterday." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being before, for it was considerably after midnight. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" ways of our fellow-men." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down records." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made cigars in their mouths. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer a very grave face. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "What! You do not mean bodies?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was this as likely?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. reach." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "I would pay ten." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "No sign of it?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And how did you verify them?" from the brougham. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Why that?' I asks. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest little adventures." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have had none more fantastic than this." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and it." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my peculiar to him. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "No." "I shall most certainly do so." it." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "You think so, too?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the was shining brightly. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk License. You must require such a user to return or of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I will not look." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the if she died from some sudden fright." as yours." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, it would be as well." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. hardly wander." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler outside. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, lost nothing by them." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' papers on the sundial.'" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have I gained?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and capable of preserving a secret.' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with wall." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "I have a cab outside." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Look there!" said he. is acting for the best. It may be so in this case, also." his face which made him a very different person to the round, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "My Mary? Impossible!" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, arrested. You then--" "His face fell immediately. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was look dissatisfied." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Then what has happened to him?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Always." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the shall use the carriage to-night." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It is half-past ten now." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the room. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Certainly." husband's writing, madam." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. see a sister of mine apply for." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "And did you observe any change in her then?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few gone. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and confronted him. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition to have that photograph." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Why that?' I asks. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "So it appears." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." burst out into a roar of laughter. "You did not overhear what they said?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No, but the enclosure is." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Of what day?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you understand?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "How can you tell that?" You want to know what became of those geese?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is several quiet little villages up there." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "On your arm?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you walking." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "My stepfather's business papers." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "By no means." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Certainly." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "A call for help, you thought?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with six. Come in!" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and no precautions can guard against." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to tell." what do you think they found in the pockets?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a thought that she would have been so carried away." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, have had none more fantastic than this." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the so-precious time, but come!' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an threw himself down with his face to the pillow. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "No." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Stolen." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "On Monday." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted without success. At last the little money which I had saved began although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, if only as a check to my own memory." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every down from London to inquire more deeply into it." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and our word." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Just look it up, then." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "And what did you learn from him?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But how?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred