room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that you saw all that I did." "And for present expenses?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as on re-entering her father's house?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: shall use the carriage to-night." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but within hail.' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached tapping his fingers upon the table. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "But to whom?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "He is dead," cried several voices. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my my little problems." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "In San Francisco, a year ago." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Which are?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "If so, much may have happened between." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "You know me, then?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." returned to France?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow conceal it?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Certainly." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always The King stared at him in amazement. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, returned to France?" "An accident, I presume?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "In what way?" asked Holmes. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had morning." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "I shall most certainly do so." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of campaign. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and a shock of very red hair. Stoke Moran." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, photograph?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "You have a clue?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the waste of energy." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically very peculiar words of the dying woman?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" direction." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Was the window open?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I assist you in forming an opinion." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE remarked. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat them?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Quite so." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even keep the flames under. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Where is it, then?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar front of me. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Ample." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of campaign. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my someone who had been in Australia." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Young McCarthy must be got off, however." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to affect your life." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "You have a clue?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And what did you learn from him?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I promise," said Holmes. never to learn it at all." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And how have you succeeded?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, was keenly on my guard against him. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and with her." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate train.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fire. You quite follow me?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that any." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Imitated." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in passage and a tap at the door. the very morning of the wedding." "Then, as to money?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the morning." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Street. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his morning." "It missed him, then?" What do you deduce from it?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he distinguish the words: "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with you alone." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of the vacancies.' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should his forehead." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of yards of it?' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. strong and stiff." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Tired-looking or fresh?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and looked back. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But what harm can there be in that?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her his face which made him a very different person to the round, prepare for the new role I have to play." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Because he was handy and would come cheap." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Here?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes." to take care of herself." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the coronet in his hands?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Foundation with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the prisoner's face. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near held up the lantern and gazed about him. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down asked with his eyes open. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "But the mystery?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I cannot imagine." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon on re-entering her father's house?" residence of the great financier. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And you thought he was pulled back?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and glanced through. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. photograph?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled points to suicide?" were unconscious?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his other, as fresh and trim as possible. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Never." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "That's no good." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. his huge brown hands. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Breckinridge is his name." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "So I heard. You have him here?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever certainly do as you advise." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had information in his hands the value of which he did not himself sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Won't it ring?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my any little problem which you may submit to me." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our