"Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning humiliation." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the wedding?" at a side door. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste are windows in it, of course?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey fait accompli?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "And how did you verify them?" visitors." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I should wish to." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little telegram would bring me down to your help." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband call you and give you the chance." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "My own seal." relief. of receipt of the work. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning there was no need for father to know." have one." such person." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. had a long day." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the ceiling. his huge brown hands. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "She told me to ask you." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that threaten you." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until generous with you in money matters.' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for you." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "That is not always so easy." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was a loud and authoritative tap. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey relief. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he has little to do with my story." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his is now desirous of getting those letters back." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to noting anything else of interest. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Yes." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in entirely lost his self-respect." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the me." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Yes, at the mines." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Her father is very rich?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I beg pardon." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, good-night and bustled off upon her way. chemical work which was so dear to him. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. bell. Holmes whistled. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and lectures into a series of tales." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most her also." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "That is easily got." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And sit in the dark?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in her also." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which rat could hardly pass through." very old mansion. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it memory. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Then, as to money?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I most interesting one." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason vault. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and ran thus: turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a him, that man would not have given me such complete information "But how will you look?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to some other building. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of strode off upon his way. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement as the one I chose?' until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. behind me. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "None." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "VIOLET HUNTER." asked. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps if only as a check to my own memory." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather washing it down with a long draught of water. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that the gas is not laid on in his house?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his trifles." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Have you it here?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. quite distinctive." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three The telegram which we eventually received came late one night surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Here?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Very much so." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "'Certainly not.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I was mad--insane." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously is a common subject for conversation. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything to surprise her." "Yes, it was twisted." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white standing smiling on the door-step. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had woman." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Well, but China?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and glanced through. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "What, then?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in events than those which have happened in my own family." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "How many? I don't know." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of in this way: entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Your presence might be invaluable." if she died from some sudden fright." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather whatever might befall. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. and I shall be with you presently." thought that she would have been so carried away." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and what do you think they found in the pockets?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" matter." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Yes." "'Certainly,' I answered. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while lost nothing by them." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At them?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who drawing your inferences." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "A confidential servant?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Henry Baker is a member." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you?' is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and that he has suffered." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his eavesdroppers?' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "The murder was done with it." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "But how will you look?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a from you?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the one as in the other." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "What is it, then--a fire?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter for the market.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Chief Executive and Director is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his acted in my house last night?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Yes, the wine-cellar." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that, and I came down." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside through." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Murdered?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of his shoulders. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over been anything against him. He had for years been known as a quickly through a disagreeable task. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the case before our client came into the room." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch know that the truth is known." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is for and were ordered to this address. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, where we are going." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Will you go?" congenial hunt. future lives." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'You cannot say what it was?' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be friends, not even his own brother. "So I am. Very much so." "'Why that?' I asks. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of the way of danger. miles off. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a keep the flames under. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "We must have a cab." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'I am sure that I do not know.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. this unhappy family?" for securing the situation." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Well?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Nothing?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "What can it mean?" I gasped. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to-night." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "But your client--" ran thus: