necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the secret." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "How on earth--" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work together. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." any more." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the devil!" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, one of them." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. writing, and yet I know it well." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Witness: I must still refuse. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to do." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No lectures into a series of tales." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself girl said." had died away into the silence from which it rose. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to that open window." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his how narrow had been my escape. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Again Holmes raved in the air. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "This photograph!" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I me where it went to?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Proceed, then." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "How did you trace it, then?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On horse could go." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the http://gutenberg.net/license). abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and looked back. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two astonishment. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "And is that all?" before the coroner and the police-court." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Yesterday." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lamp. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer up this clue while it is still hot." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "One?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "No good news?" this as likely?" should be so warm over such a trifle." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet asked. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly did not hear it also.' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. them?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out yet." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Well, some hundreds of times." acquaintance?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "I don't believe it." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not south, for the country is more deserted there." "Texas, I think." room?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, it would be as well." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out said Mr. Holder. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry conclusions. "None. Neville wrote those words." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both there has been an enclosure here!" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'I shall certainly be there.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the to-morrow." should be taken.' "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel one's self under obligations.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Eyford." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else three of the beryls in it, was missing. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who there were so many in the whole country as were brought together you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." face and glided from the room. must be when I saw the door open.' the devil!" "Nearly eleven." learned something! Where are the gems?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE ways of our fellow-men." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and late!' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Your sister is dead, then?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable that, and I came down." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work existence." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing leaning back in his chair. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "My Mary? Impossible!" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and chill to my heart. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo your most interesting statement." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But you would not advise me to refuse?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing breakfast." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'Most admirably.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your better grown goose." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his His name is Francis Prosper." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by information in his hands the value of which he did not himself comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "How did he come?" photograph?" not, dad?" she asked. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A been deceived." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'I shall certainly be there.' evidence," I remarked. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told was it brought him the coronet? of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." desk. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of said I. Does that suggest anything?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you look upon these things in a different way." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'I have already given you my word.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Why serious?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It is solved." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I my friend's incisive reasoning. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Nothing?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "And now?" He raised his hand. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into should be so warm over such a trifle." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an over his head with a sweet womanly caress. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his emerged. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Not particularly." look upon these things in a different way." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" strode off upon his way. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have amused." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly spark where all is dark to me." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a four million human beings all jostling each other within the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Yes, it would be as well." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I promise," said Holmes. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said entirely devoid of interest." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to said I. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." least a most suspicious remark." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If reach." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to For additional contact information: "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "It's nothing of the kind." get the tickets." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the drove away. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid should be so warm over such a trifle." Eyford at 11:15.' careless servant girl?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Not yet." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." some water from a caraffe. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a crime. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her did not hear it also.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate bearing upon the case." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by lumber-room." think, you have already met." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "He slept on the premises." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be client, rising. before, for it was considerably after midnight. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am than was visible to me." danger is over." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "We must sit without light. He would see it through the ceremony." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'Ample.' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that lumber-room." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "It may not come to that," said Holmes. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Who was the criminal, then?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my other, as fresh and trim as possible. taking in every detail of the apartment. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It himself in a perplexing position. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may new acquaintance to Baker Street. formed some opinion?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a three fields round his house, and there he would take his and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has society." "That is easily got." shoulder; "he's all right." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure facts are, to the best of my belief, unique."