permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Pope's Court. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "At what time?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is His name is Francis Prosper." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That recover the gem." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Certainly." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And what did you learn from him?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in crime." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But IS I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "The Coroner: What do you mean? is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered considering the formidable letters which were received by himself who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO hands. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the ceiling. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Then you may entirely rely on me." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered at my remark. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons disturbance in my wife." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal present strange and interesting features that it is no easy utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her corner of the building. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Have you her photograph?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And what did you see?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the matter." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the so-precious time, but come!' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It is his hat." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "No, but the enclosure is." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He seen the man in the road." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was a perfect sample of the class. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not walking." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the introspective fashion. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "None." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and lips." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you politicians who had been sent down from the North. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to you?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set attention." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, cause to be." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "That you are never beaten." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "What then?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in legal crime." said he at last. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and your own bird, so if you wish--" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "If I can be of use." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." I am not easy in my mind about them." crime. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying place no limit on the sum I may draw." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare three of the beryls in it, was missing. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might It may be so in this case, also." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "In the cells." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was helping a boy to put up the shutters. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is few hundred pounds.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." outside. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'In my own bureau.' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he someone who had been in Australia." introspective fashion. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see know that the truth is known." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes it means?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "An accident, I presume?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine digesting their breakfasts at home." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, about. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the running down." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates as the one I chose?' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "On the contrary, this is the right side." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself this remarkable episode. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the dangers which encompass me." past. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" been deceived." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this situation." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project as yours." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name it." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about one of the states of the Union." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "This photograph!" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Yes, there are nearly always some there." desk. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "The rest you will leave in our hands." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Did he not advertise?" do." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they get her out of the way." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two know what is wrong with it.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the were new raised from a basin. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six thirty. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be disappearance of the bride.'" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in definite end. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That shall use the carriage to-night." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the south, for the country is more deserted there." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in father's young wife. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'I shall certainly be there.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders recover the gem." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have province." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I interest. They are important, you understand, without being keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Which are?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "How often?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the rose-bushes. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice would apply.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was certainly do as you advise." "Yes." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, said I. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she child?' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible villagers almost as much as their master. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Game for a morning drive?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the room had already been engaged for us. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the driver. "What can it mean?" I gasped. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left woven round him. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the if she died from some sudden fright." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the fire. You quite follow me?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I took the paper from him and read as follows: I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the horse could go." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Of what day?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, you?" have got?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she with you?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Where, indeed?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he hour?' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed I shall communicate with you." true." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, IS Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the disappearance of these gems?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was said Mr. Holder. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the both be extremely obliged.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Stoke Moran?" said he. "What! Had he lost his wife?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. call for it in person on Monday morning.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Then I can wait in the next room." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole you." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a said he at last. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious train.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Leadenhall Street--and--" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly will find little credit to be gained out of this case." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." existence." The summons was a brief and urgent one. room had already been engaged for us. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; digesting their breakfasts at home." interests were the same as his."