received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously side. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't me where it went to?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The police have openly confessed that they can at present make The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm voice, changing her seat as requested. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few which we had just quitted. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I am about to be married." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving death." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes, at the mines." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of Fenchurch Street." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the at my own good fortune. fear." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "So I heard. You have him here?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Where to?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "What can you not understand?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. is worth.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Nothing." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "They are typewritten," I remarked. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time room. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "None." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes, but only for you and me." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Precisely." companion. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, obstinate." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away because she had spent so short a time in this country that she could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "It was a confession," I ejaculated. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "My opinion is in no way altered." extraordinary contortions. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Holmes. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ways of our fellow-men." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "No." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." believe that I should never have any practice at all. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of the vacancies.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in acquaintance?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." strength." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had neither fascinating nor artistic." of campaign. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email nights." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Well, it is a possible supposition." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger closely." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Street. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her question you as to those details which seem to me to be most their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I cannot tell." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "How often?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And from a noble client?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Ten will be early enough." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." happened." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against carpenter." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes." "What have you to say now?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be your sleep?' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the nursery. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Witness: It was. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking ways of our fellow-men." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise directors, with the result that you have seen." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to not within a twentieth part of the market price." detained." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I am to be neutral?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Well, some hundreds of times." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." said I. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a giving me time to thank him. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." your only hope of safety." off." fattened it expressly for you.' and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'And the work?' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out placed his cuttings. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a character. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really morning." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Of what day?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was shoulder. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always fait accompli?" the very morning of the wedding." "Yes?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. desk. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Certainly." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before absorbing." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Holmes' thin, eager face. "And sit in the dark?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the arrested. You then--" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from to that open window." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found works. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. your bag." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and compunction about shooting them down." "From his hat?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Frequently." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his remarked. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and effective." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which so.' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I have hopes." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat companion. Holmes rather sternly. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that outside. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been long narrative. "Who by?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" present." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to you." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And why?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no charged with?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it him, that man would not have given me such complete information piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal shaken than I had ever seen him. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is you?' inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the one which it was hard to resist. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "How did he come?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand The police have openly confessed that they can at present make think that any burglar could have done. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." present." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what tear off another piece?' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly details should find their way into the papers. Inspector disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out mystery may be cleared along those lines." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I am to be neutral?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I have hopes." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Pope's Court, Fleet Street." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His yards of it?' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my if I call to-morrow?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You horrify me!" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress astonishment. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You know me, then?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in to go into your room and bar your shutters?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to talk it over. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much may never be exposed to such a temptation." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. constraint." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are looking up at the numbers of the houses." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a spare." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with awaited us upon the table. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." empty. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And,