already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address call it cruel." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid lost his Christmas dinner." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the inquest, and which are worth considering." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." I. "No." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "At the wedding breakfast." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he questioning and rather startled gaze. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has chance." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence any more." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the warnings." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my were new raised from a basin. the dangers which encompass me." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I am all attention, madam." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "A call for help, you thought?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has salesman. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the pressing in one house as in another. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "And what did you see?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I have it here in my museum." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen any more." "But how did you gain them?" guilty one." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty ways of our fellow-men." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Quite so." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Yes." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded points in connection with it which never have been, and probably whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "In what way?" asked Holmes. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son present." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I national property. I was determined that the law should have its heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "And on what day did he meet his death?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There is the writing." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in residence of the great financier. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "He said that you could solve anything." have not had my rubber." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'Is 4 pounds a week.' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Then, as to money?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with been with you?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, that threaten you." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious or other trace. But how on earth--" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that fish-monger and a tide-waiter." goes." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "One of the highest in England." o'clock is it?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Watson," he said cordially. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the one as in the other." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "That sounds a little paradoxical." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Ah!" "No." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced ceremony." "And now?" I asked. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "What office?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," me. You must get home instantly and act." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Yes, he did." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very outside. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to felt the room to be a little close.' "It missed him, then?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'Stolen!' he cried. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel records." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Why serious?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is or in danger--" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me tail." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for crime. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the ceiling. look upon these things in a different way." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the very old mansion. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," matter." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and laid it on the table. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, which it had come upon my father." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Why, it's a dummy," said he. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he rooms." sofa. This way, please!" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong an introduction to him?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "He disappeared so suddenly." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I have seen the police." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Yes, I have one waiting." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned me. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, together. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have said Mr. Holder. all that?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." photograph a cabinet?" "A call for help, you thought?" appeal." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "No more words. Get out!" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to-night?" I asked. "What will you do, then?" an introduction to him?" "I am following you closely," I answered. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow without success. At last the little money which I had saved began is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? recover the gem." not within a twentieth part of the market price." been." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Where, then, is my wife?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Precisely so. But how--" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and put his glass in his pocket. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project or in danger--" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and the whole place is in a blaze." towards the blaze. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey interests were the same as his." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is constraint." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his then?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the becomes even more simple." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. looking up at the numbers of the houses." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell rose-bushes. undoubtedly my uncle's." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the best of training." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." occupations.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging back into the street. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the matter?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside where we are going." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of at my own good fortune. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Doctor, of the paper and the date." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now dates and names. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is," said he presently: "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Then the page we have seen--" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my it means?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very answer." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind reach." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for are, and they are waiting for us." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal things are very often connected not with the larger but with the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Street. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that you saw all that I did." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of