huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' about. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the are, I think, all that we need." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'I am sure if I had known--' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is solved." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. visitors." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and would then never go into court at all." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good night.' said he. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the general public were present, then?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Only as much as we can deduce." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. you for a few hours?" thought that she would have been so carried away." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he this remarkable episode. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "How do you know, then?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and a shock of very red hair. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one bare slabs of marble. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. you want, then?' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to money should be paid at once.' generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free yourselves in at night?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing whether it answered to the description of any of their it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the closely." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the face and glided from the room. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "But you were on a friendly footing?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his eyes and forehead. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the stones. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what colonel looking down at me. "What then?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet money should be paid at once.' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had all-comprehensive glances. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "My dear Holmes!" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Will you bet, then?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "But the mystery?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "What! You do not mean bodies?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. was a loud and authoritative tap. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, you?' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "But who is he?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." side. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness occurred." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice McCarthy." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I What do you deduce from it?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon better grown goose." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it if I call to-morrow?" "Of Friday, June 19th." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to his chemical studies. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'What do you call purely nominal?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Why serious?" "Nothing." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "And when will you call?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the dangers which encompass me." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two do.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have I gained?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a existence." "But not more so than I to find you." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said should be taken.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "He disappeared so suddenly." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and redistribution. "Has he come with you to-night?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own some water from a caraffe. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some with frightened eyes at his accuser. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "But it has twice been burgled." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. other lovers by making love himself." should be taken.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "In the cells." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been will find little credit to be gained out of this case." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and conclusions. "What steps will you take?" I asked. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "No, finished." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I know where it is." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be ceremony." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "And Miss Sutherland?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel in my life." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with row." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the not, dad?" she asked. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Upon what point?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "A greater distance to travel." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'And the work?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital fat-encircled eyes. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. whereabouts. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Married! When?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I don't believe it." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without points to suicide?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after cheerful." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. of the one which your family is now devouring." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary handed it to him. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Again Holmes raved in the air. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Why, it's a dummy," said he. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy everything which you would wish to know." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat it means?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Nothing." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been everything which you would wish to know." least a fellow-countryman. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It must be recovered." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several said I. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "In the cells." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire pierced for earrings?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I approached. telegram would bring me down to your help." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the round and wave him away like that.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Henry Baker is a member." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so key of the affair now." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The rest you will leave in our hands." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and begun to whiten, even as mine has." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Certainly,' I answered. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not my secret was safe in his possession. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through been." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Murdered?" upon a handsome competence. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously dates and names. the date of his supposed suicide." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, of it with the greatest attention. "'Never.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "To the police?" "And how did you verify them?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country lips." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Then what has happened to him?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion could go. Eyford at 11:15.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with approach us with offers to donate. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "No, thank goodness, she did not." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her photograph?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "She told me to ask you." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it one else, I think." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent goes." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Holmes. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any things are very often connected not with the larger but with the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he him to go away.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a