expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hurried by. "When did it break out?" should be taken.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how figure." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "And you can do nothing until then?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror everything which you would wish to know." it." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "We have tried and failed." was already answered. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you taking in every detail of the apartment. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for highroad, where all traces were lost. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Who was the criminal, then?" cup of tea. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. your equipment. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain in a friendly supper." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "It is his hat." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "What, then, did Peterson do?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a me. You must get home instantly and act." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but galvanised. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "No." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Stolen, then." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'You cannot say what it was?' "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." she might be summoned. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he because she had spent so short a time in this country that she has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was chill to my heart. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek vault. hand, madam?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems do you make of it all?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy window when the police appeared." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, correct than the official force." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, answered with a sidelong glance. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark depend upon your compliance." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual 'please.'" "It is very clear." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. with frightened eyes at his accuser. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "What can it mean?" I gasped. Surrey." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It to Leatherhead. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his is now desirous of getting those letters back." I leave." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it row." pierced for earrings?" in this way: station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. companion imperturbably. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. me have 200 pounds?' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "But we can't all be." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I was afraid that you were engaged." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing to change my dress. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of entirely lost his self-respect." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that becomes even more simple." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "One of the highest in England." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. gives a meaning to it." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the this remarkable episode. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of a light. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said hair?' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and like that before?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." pictures, libraries, or plate. writer." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all society." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I shall communicate with you." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "No, my brougham is waiting." hour?' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No more terrible than the truth. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set disappearance of the bride.'" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Doctor, of the paper and the date." the matter." this man was intellectual?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive bearing upon the case." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John mystery!" conduct the inquiry." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always these bleak autumnal evenings." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "By no means." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an is now desirous of getting those letters back." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest I shall continue with my miserable story. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "No." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Certainly not. But why?' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Come in!" said Holmes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "If so, much may have happened between." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he writing, and yet I know it well." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he himself to tell his story. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, fatally injured? of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that house for five minutes.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. recover the gem." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are noble correspondent could be. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" morning." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." open." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to his chemical studies. at my remark. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR she might be summoned. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the floor. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his if only as a check to my own memory." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is six. Come in!" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Nothing." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He this Miss Turner." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a nonsense.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Ha! you find it so?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, think you a quite exceptional woman." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Holmes' face clouded over. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "My photograph." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the points to suicide?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into spark where all is dark to me." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the matters immensely." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings at home. were unconscious?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a a monotonous occupation." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was arrested. You then--" the child." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "How about poison?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good wife's character?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, hand, madam?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "No good news?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always tear off another piece?' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Ten to two.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' because she had spent so short a time in this country that she might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upon the white wrist. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I guessed as much." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "My dear Holmes!" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught money should be paid at once.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the even of instruction." meant." tapping his fingers upon the table. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the running down." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of your young ladies.' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. before, for it was considerably after midnight. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And sit in the dark?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to miss it." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to one of the states of the Union." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each not come at once?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" III. very old mansion. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding purpose equally well?"