"'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Really! You surprise me." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of arrested. You then--" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" said he. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" yourselves in at night?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps our word." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle the very letters. But what is this written above them?' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. crackling voice. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." trying to your nerves." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining cup of tea. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a maiden herself was most instructive." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of his huge brown hands. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his grey eyes. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then you may be so with me." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, more solid." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Yes." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "A client, then?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Clair, of Lee." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without narrative." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." matter." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'I have already given you my word.' I have it here in my museum." "Nothing." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with client, rising. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, in the port of London." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You forget that I know nothing about it." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing chance at all." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "One?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "But how did you gain them?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few business at Coburg Square is serious." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Then the page we have seen--" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Witness: I must still refuse. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless second window is the one that I jumped from." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like dates and names. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice reach." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the generous with you in money matters.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And why?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, thin legs towards the fire. "On your arm?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming roused himself from his reverie. and capable of preserving a secret.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it round with crates and massive boxes. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of Fenchurch Street." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' questioning and rather startled gaze. Clair, of Lee." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. him." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the general public were present, then?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "That was it, sir." papers diligently of late, have you not?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" burst out into a roar of laughter. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Have you good authority for what you say?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a best detective that ever lived. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "By no means." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' legal crime." is worth.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I cannot imagine." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. power." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless have an American origin." "A greater distance to travel." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "On your arm?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" to talk it over. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I do." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ventilator." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of the one which your family is now devouring." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." think you a quite exceptional woman." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, guilty parties." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and is now desirous of getting those letters back." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to him to go away.' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day most important business. It is probable that he will be away all set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both standing smiling on the door-step. whether it answered to the description of any of their table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It must be recovered." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the dangers which encompass me." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and there!' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" ready to-morrow?' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is must compliment you." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. whereabouts. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a noting anything else of interest. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the corner of the building. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" fear." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter until night should bring an explanation. very old mansion. "By no means." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to delighted to hear it," he said. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my 'I should be able to look after that for you.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "And your mother is alive?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my bearing upon the case." carriage. It was a chestnut." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, my little problems." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all shoulder. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I would pay ten." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Was the window open?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white it with his own hands." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of obstinate." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Sholtos." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room thirty. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and cost them two and thirty pounds." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm evidence," I remarked. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing status with the IRS. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, in his power. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "None." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated prepare for the new role I have to play." "No, finished." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, there." works. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced works. See paragraph 1.E below. man. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most thirty. "To an end?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, case before our client came into the room." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, mystery!" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than yards of it?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, for the market.' "And leave your case unfinished?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and files of the old papers, following the future career of every papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" beyond words. who was a member of your goose club." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs client, rising. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass could not account in any way for the presence of the missing like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and bell. Holmes whistled. "'Oh, no.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I will try. What is it?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And Miss Sutherland?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was