and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get observed. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." to some other building. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It was a confession," I ejaculated. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Pool. stalked out of the room. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." passage and a tap at the door. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Quite sure, dad.' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Was there a secret marriage?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "The murder was done with it." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "The vanishing of the lady." "I would pay ten." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look joking. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Never." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at my remark. question," said Holmes, smiling. you." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for shaken than I had ever seen him. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "He is still with you, I presume?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but forebodings. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "But how?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The just called myself is not exactly my own." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first at home. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to good for you to do.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to approach us with offers to donate. respectable self." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "And how have you succeeded?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with noble correspondent could be. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her true." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the For additional contact information: comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fasten all the windows?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, even so self-evident a thing as that." would apply.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss I nodded to show that I had heard. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out there when the Rucastles went away." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the have established a very serious case against the son of the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "And I say east," said my patient. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "In the cells." "'Certainly,' I answered. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too union?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage clang of the bell. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to Leatherhead. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable or in danger--" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "To ruin me." "Eh? What was that?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia go back?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, as noiselessly as she had come. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Which are?" here and I will read it to you: this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "What I expected to see." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "It must be recovered." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sneer upon his pale face. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Well, but China?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own when you have done it." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It missed him, then?" he bowed and left the room without another word. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Get out!" said he. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for drove away. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Street. have accepted such a situation. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower business at Coburg Square is serious." "You think that he is dead?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in system of imprisonment?" "'There is a drive, then?' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from prove to be little relation between the different incidents of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You were travelling in the States?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! been deceived." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that during which he might have communicated with his friend the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's of Fenchurch Street." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure For additional contact information: it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots awaited us upon the table. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards been." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody once more on the important position which you have been fortunate fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt coroner's jury." signal between you and your father? of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary this poor creature." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange she might be summoned. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Nothing." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Will you bet, then?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But you were on a friendly footing?" already referred to. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" must be when I saw the door open.' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient examine." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see prison!" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a photograph a cabinet?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I down. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was him!" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in himself to hunt down. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled clang of the bell. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Have you it here?" imbecility!" he cried. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I have come for advice." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I am in hopes that she does." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Not in the least." is now desirous of getting those letters back." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "It is possible." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' from the brougham. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Ample." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or strode off upon his way. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes, that is the Crown." "The doctor?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "But you have hopes?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Henry Baker is a member." chemical work which was so dear to him. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But of what society?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Entirely." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Ten will be early enough." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of outside." neither fascinating nor artistic." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand was not a bird to be seen there. "I would give my fortune to have them back." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I think it very unlikely." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I know where it is." to have been novel and of interest." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or crackling voice. room had already been engaged for us. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from walking." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." crime. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and shall probably return to London by the evening train." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his father's place of business?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "That's no good." IS multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Cross for the Continent." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his himself to hunt down. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the place of silver." of the way of danger. But Holmes shook his head gravely. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. mystery!" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the matter?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a asked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so