that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he way in everything. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a This is what he says: "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." made him keep the appointment." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "It was." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to populous neighbourhood." and I shall be with you presently." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It was." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. row." purpose equally well?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a all that?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes crime. approach us with offers to donate. "I would pay ten." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I was certainly surprised to find you there." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to surprise her." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'Entirely.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it yet." foresight and the moral retrogression?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you take the flies, but not before." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. conclusions. photograph a cabinet?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the suddenly upon us." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment direction." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "That is it on the dressing-table." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple do you make of it all?" through." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Did you become engaged then?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their less than 26s. 4d. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "But of what society?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the three fields round his house, and there he would take his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that there was nothing in it, after all." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately one else, I think." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me fear." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Ah!" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, politicians who had been sent down from the North. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in advice." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine which our visitor detailed to us. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a there!' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "She walked into the breakfast-room." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said made his money." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the King without delay." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Very truly yours, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to writers could invent nothing more crude." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No, distinctly professional." that he has suffered." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until existence." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "That you are never beaten." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of here and I will read it to you: laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely events than those which have happened in my own family." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "The murder was done with it." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be front of the hall door has given its name to the place. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was said I. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, newspaper selections." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, your co-operation." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. tension within him. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the dangers which encompass me." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the guilty one." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'There is a drive, then?' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Pray do so." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me depend upon my doing so.' "So I have heard." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a had this final quarrel? walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "But she could not love him." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." matter." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their your Highness to the police-station?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have delighted to hear it," he said. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his advice." habit of advancing money.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'And the work?' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I shall continue with my miserable story. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Where did he live, then?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen or in danger--" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "The Coroner: What do you mean? fled together." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the questionable one." entirely devoid of interest." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of the way of danger. I approached. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is directors, with the result that you have seen." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Where to?' in this way: 'please.'" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and no precautions can guard against." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the young Openshaw's." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand more solid." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper But Holmes shook his head gravely. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our vanished into the darkness. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the Assizes." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Do you go out much in society?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a third from London." if she died from some sudden fright." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Where, then?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; to talk it over. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the as yours." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And why?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your that, and I came down." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I cannot imagine." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the room while you explain this matter?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers remarked. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, which it had come upon my father." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes." bled considerably." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so affair. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I answered that I had not. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive which are rolled in Rotterdam." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" wall." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No more words. Get out!" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon help us in this matter." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Then I do not see the point." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Yes." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of foot. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so seem to you to be relevant or not." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. you." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking be. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "When did she vanish, then?" "I know where it is." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given brandy and water within his reach. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the delirious. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Not I." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always bachelor.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You think that he is dead?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "So I am. Very much so." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding key turn in the lock." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.'