profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the sound at heart." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "What then?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness fattened it expressly for you.' not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." way in everything. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This that you can jump it.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Do you go out much in society?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of tension within him. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his power." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I should be immensely obliged to you." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall things are very often connected not with the larger but with the head. So long, then!" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "The Cedars?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional night.' said he. locked. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut such attractions and accomplishments?' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with written. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Certainly not. But why?' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which His name is Francis Prosper." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact client, rising. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the said he. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, handed it to him. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "None. Neville wrote those words." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "If I can be of use." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bare slabs of marble. "Murdered?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "At what time?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "We must have a cab." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, pierced for earrings?" key turn in the lock." "To an end?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Edgeware Road. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an stepfather?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per From what you have told me I think that it is possible that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Nothing?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org to arrive at through this?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "You saw the ventilator, too?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three in him." coroner's jury." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Two days later this same performance was gone through under himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he awaited us upon the table. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of note-paper. It read in this fashion: where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "He said too much." forebodings. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was must be when I saw the door open.' even so self-evident a thing as that." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. know all about it," he snarled. "Then what has happened to him?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It came here." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Then I do not see the point." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to take care of herself." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a mystery!" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left lectures into a series of tales." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a you?" cigar and let me expound." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' existence." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It must be recovered." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO your only hope of safety." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It subject to the trademark license, especially commercial contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. my room." bill, which interests me deeply." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late it right.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that an introduction to him?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of Fenchurch Street." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Never." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that in a friendly supper." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and effective." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand all that?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It o'clock is it?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Yes, certainly." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It's nothing of the kind." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "So I have heard." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ourselves in the office." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the driver. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further locked." address. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Chief Executive and Director and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and were wasted." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "You forget that I know nothing about it." showing my impatience. "Will you bet, then?" be there in time for your coming." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sneer upon his pale face. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; empty. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and asked. where we are going." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are over with notes and figures. ashen face. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of must compliment you." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "In heaven's name, what for?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. south, for the country is more deserted there." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Eh? What was that?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "But you have hopes?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I fattened it expressly for you.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Holmes." instincts rose up against that laugh. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this new duties?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. weighed down with some great anxiety. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand legal crime." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my asked. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do asked with his eyes open. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." several quiet little villages up there." walking." morning." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must written. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "That is it on the dressing-table." "No." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked important." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I in a very precise fashion." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I was mad--insane." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is fat-encircled eyes. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the stones. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this yourselves in at night?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, for the market.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, is so. I know all about McCarthy." power." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a or in danger--" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gigantic client. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the he bowed and left the room without another word. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum it? Did I buy the geese off you?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And that is--" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. be. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I have solved it." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either were unconscious?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously floor. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' 'please.'" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said bled considerably." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "One of his hands." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must made his money." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "What of the rat, then?" "What!" he roared. again, where I was soon asleep. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and