to take care of herself." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No. What a strange idea!" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with hurried by. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet where she found matters as described by the last witness. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a feature." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling gone before you can get him to hospital." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return narrative." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend been shamefully used." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to arrive at through this?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to 1.E.9. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Will you go?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, heavy and sharp instrument." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the devil!" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. bird of prey. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." in the dead of the night?' "Yes?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "It is possible." "But we can't all be." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. 'please.'" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "My dear Holmes!" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch is four-and-twenty." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you kindly on the shoulder. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally train from Paddington which would bring you there at about heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any chambers. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the white wrist. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots six. Come in!" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the house with me." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." papers diligently of late, have you not?" Foundation interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have brought there to personate someone, and the real person is her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Yes." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said know all about it," he snarled. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was over with notes and figures. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "But your client--" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never people don't know." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I am about to be married." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Only as much as we can deduce." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Absolutely none." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "The doctor?" "If I can be of use." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I will do it." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the rose-bushes. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. beyond words. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and have this put in the evening papers." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down with you alone." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and straighten it?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "What then?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fled together." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hardly wander." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking case-book, which he consulted. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room death." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the room while you explain this matter?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Won't it ring?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, certainly not very gracious." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "What steps will you take?" I asked. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Have you good authority for what you say?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the heavy and sharp instrument." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? words came to my lips. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" very morning of my second wedding." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Nothing." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And why?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes, sir." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying orange pips. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "On Monday." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, carried out of court." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was remarked. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given lost nothing by them." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. acted in my house last night?" stood on the top of it. "It looks newer than the other things?" your bag." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ample." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Then what has happened to him?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in room had already been engaged for us. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that carried out of court." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic did not hear it also.' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up be.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "There are none." acted in my house last night?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "That is easily got." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "We were both in the photograph." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening round with crates and massive boxes. exactly what you advise." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the father's place of business?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, matter." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And why in hopes?" be.' pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated to-night." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From more terrible than the truth. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, your Highness to the police-station?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single child?' you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to arrive at through this?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She of campaign. "None." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could sufficient punishment." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "How often?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Henry Baker is a member." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the dangers which encompass me." to you." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I against a man in the prime of life?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the warnings." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that would apply.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "But his left-handedness." you." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and upon an income of about 60 pounds." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can woven round him. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to little trying to do so much typewriting?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of a room. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Well, but China?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Have you her photograph?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that there was nothing in it, after all." do." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an hurried by. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "What, then, did Peterson do?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about or other trace. But how on earth--" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "My photograph." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the south-west, I see."