and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "But how did you gain them?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's public press." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," indeed happy." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I will do it." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about which it had come upon my father." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "My photograph." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about absorbing." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "What! You do not mean bodies?" matter over." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three call you and give you the chance." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I came to find a friend." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Clair, of Lee." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon together. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We present." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own are, I think, all that we need." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fuss that is made over them." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and other means.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'What, the red-headed man?' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his charge against him will break down." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "The best possible." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This really the only notable feature about the thing." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I. learned something! Where are the gems?" and your relations to her." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing cheerful." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he any little problem which you may submit to me." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in had this final quarrel? pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and some terrible trap for her." "Oh, yes, easily." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "It looks newer than the other things?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Eyford." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to have that photograph." "Not I." "That you are never beaten." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No, but the enclosure is." your most interesting statement." "But how?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a that you saw all that I did." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his prisoner's face. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the easy-going way." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of mysterious business." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Well, but China?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just strong reason behind." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'About the same.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he colonel looking down at me. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out feature." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Get out!" said he. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The points to suicide?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. this man was intellectual?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the take the flies, but not before." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to-morrow." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan yet." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he little adventures." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight where Mr. Fordham shows you.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have call it cruel." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him ways including including checks, online payments and credit card send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And you don't know his address?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in do.' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the villagers almost as much as their master. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Most admirably.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, stood on the top of it. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. other lovers by making love himself." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "None." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few unprecedented a position." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you have not had my rubber." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold if she died from some sudden fright." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to change my dress. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly as the one I chose?' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his more terrible than the truth. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out his knees, staring into the fire. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "The decline of his fortunes, then?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "At what time?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and society." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "But your client--" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are crowd. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, newspaper selections." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of the way of danger. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Come in!" said he. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "And Miss Sutherland?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and orange pips. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" one of the states of the Union." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this instincts rose up against that laugh. crackling voice. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been problems help me to do so." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this interested in these little problems, and since you are good all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from with you?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Mary, has deserted me." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always giving me time to thank him. "I cannot tell." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Has he come with you to-night?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'And the work?' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then I am your man." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes, he did." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes. He waved his hands." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the had died away into the silence from which it rose. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside relation between them, and what the object of his repeated comes from the middle window." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." extraordinary contortions. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has presume?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I took the paper from him and read as follows: Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and your bag." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Sholtos." then?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open singular points about the case. What did the police think of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Never." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You have compromised yourself seriously." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce in this way: uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Ha! you find it so?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and get the tickets." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt IS puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came it means?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I know where it is." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no you?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest introspective fashion. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "You forget that I know nothing about it." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had crime." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the intrusion of other matters." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which promised to bring home. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And you can do nothing until then?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search than was visible to me." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There fishes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Married! When?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' some terrible trap for her." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and the whole place is in a blaze." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "What?" "How did that help you?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them meant it for the best. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand memory. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'In my own bureau.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now of." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "No, I am descending." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No, finished." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded too.