truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. sound at heart." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." London for the present?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry dramatic, in fact." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You have a clue?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no rose-bushes. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age I nodded again. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And you thought he was pulled back?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I have seen the police." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass before the coroner and the police-court." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "No, I am descending." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house may have an influence upon European history." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return speckled band?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked examine." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his hair?' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he paper in the air. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Will you bet, then?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him for the market.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But the mystery?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as woman who has had her own way to make in the world. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" you do it in twenty minutes!' "I know where it is." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears fact, we may call it conclusive." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out charge against him will break down." "Well, but China?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Eh? What was that?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, a monotonous occupation." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "My Mary? Impossible!" green of the new foliage. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than most interesting one." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better was a perfect sample of the class. my little problems." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some hair?' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. chill to my heart. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper your own bird, so if you wish--" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of this gang." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as were wasted." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "But the mystery?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "When did it break out?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fashion which was peculiar to him. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Of what day?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "What can it mean?" I gasped. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work unclasping of his long thin hands. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH look dissatisfied." people don't know." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Stolen!' he cried. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" so.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, fact, we may call it conclusive." security.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire next day. mysterious business." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose matter." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, meant." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the general public were present, then?" It may be so in this case, also." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "And now?" He raised his hand. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of as the one I chose?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. recover the gem." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who whole matter to your consideration." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the furiously. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I should like to see him very much." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "9th. McCauley cleared. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and respectable self." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you charge against him will break down." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the bottom.' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in conclusions. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has new acquaintance to Baker Street. instincts rose up against that laugh. vanished into the darkness. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hurried by. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Will you go?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I guessed as much." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my companion. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact opened the door, and slipped through. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said said he at last. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. your Highness to the police-station?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "It looks newer than the other things?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his returned to France?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Dark enough and sinister enough." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Absolutely none." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a be. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside you give your casting vote to?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. retorted upon me, and I on you." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think whatever might befall. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, advice." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will III. to tell." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Nothing." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "He is still with you, I presume?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Have you it here?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Pope's Court. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Yes." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You ill-usage at the hands of fortune. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet woman." lamp. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And how did you verify them?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been door?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he and looked back. plantation.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Ah!" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method house for five minutes.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock yet." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, conduct the inquiry." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. in this note: simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too you do it in twenty minutes!' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have present." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered dates and names. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "But I am all in the dark." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of miles off. the loss of it. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "No?" true." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not existence." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The events in question occurred in the early days of my "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, there when the Rucastles went away." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, way in." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from gone. "What do you make of that, Watson?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You were travelling in the States?" me. You must get home instantly and act." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "And you can do nothing until then?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from breakfast." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be wedding?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his fasten all the windows?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have man. I know him from the photograph." into the room. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned wife's character?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their during which he might have communicated with his friend the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, spark where all is dark to me." bare slabs of marble. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do morning." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Why did you beat the pavement?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. definite end. before the coroner and the police-court." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "There is the writing." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'There is a drive, then?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said until night should bring an explanation. to-night." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but hard-headed British jury." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is very kind of you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in forehead. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It is very clear." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for lost nothing by them." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I fear not." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which do.' "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Only as much as we can deduce." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to bears upon the case?" one else, I think." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a humiliation." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I