"As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "My dear Holmes!" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Holmes, the busybody!" indeed which he could not unravel. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Then let me do so?' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with shoulder. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent instincts rose up against that laugh. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and prosperity to your house. Good-night." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "But his lameness?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes people in all walks of life. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Do you go out much in society?" public press." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of said he. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the situation." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the best of training." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You horrify me!" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the said Mr. Holder. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "What, then?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day something of him before." works. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California true." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Pope's Court. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand woven round him. way in." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "From his hat?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it right.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Holmes. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which long narrative. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "On the contrary, this is the right side." "She told me to ask you." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in when you have done it." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, he bowed and left the room without another word. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk true." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "In the cells." crowd. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been matter over." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front very old mansion. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the out of this horrible affair." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a even so self-evident a thing as that." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the or in danger--" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a purpose equally well?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of when you have done it." union?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Breckinridge is his name." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room bedroom door." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty someone who had been in Australia." "Ten will be early enough." whereabouts. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has a monotonous occupation." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a peculiar to him. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Not him." pressing in one house as in another. "I cannot say that I have." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, girl said." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'You cannot say what it was?' "She showed me, as I told you she would." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the villagers almost as much as their master. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Seven!" I answered. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You horrify me!" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place noise which awoke you from your sleep?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and effective." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Arthur Conan Doyle probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "We must sit without light. He would see it through the it means?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must was a lad." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret status with the IRS. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in his power. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His emerged. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But upon the sideboard." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, dead, shall be safe with us." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. coroner's jury." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a photograph?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great late." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man acquaintance?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is deduce something from that?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is so. I know all about McCarthy." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "You are hungry," I remarked. "He disappeared so suddenly." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "We were both in the photograph." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. as this. Pray let me have the details." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a read it out to me." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the will take you up to see the machine.' nothing with him." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a advice." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'And the work?' "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Leadenhall Street--and--" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in even of instruction." colonel looking down at me. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And did you observe any change in her then?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. then?" "It certainly sounds feasible." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, read it out to me." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And when will you call?" if only as a check to my own memory." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the as he remarks, very much against the son." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Yes?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Mrs. Toller serenely. the morning and make my own way in the world.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his rat could hardly pass through." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, thought that she would have been so carried away." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I shall most certainly do so." "Just look it up, then." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "What then?" Leadenhall Street--and--" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." in him." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "There is the writing." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped have had none more fantastic than this." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took instituted." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Frequently." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the washing it down with a long draught of water. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Ample." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon the white wrist. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one but preventing her from injuring another. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his bled considerably." But Holmes shook his head gravely. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "And Irene Adler?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I am in hopes that she does." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the room while you explain this matter?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I was concerned in it." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a minor matters until to-morrow." written. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. some terrible trap for her." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "That is not always so easy." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately recover the gem." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend outbreak?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the roots.