four million human beings all jostling each other within the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, true." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I guessed as much." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Yes, sir." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I have seen the police." thought that she would have been so carried away." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of confronted him. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still floor. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. some terrible trap for her." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a throat." you for a few hours?" "You will not go there first?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "How on earth--" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots lamp in his hand. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "And how have you succeeded?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Dr. Becher's." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and a room. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases flock.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and business in the City. She little knew what. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that appeal." "But not more so than I to find you." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple over his head with a sweet womanly caress. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "No." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "And why in hopes?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would fait accompli?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Serpentine Avenue. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "No?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you lectures into a series of tales." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire three of the beryls in it, was missing. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that enough to aid us in our search." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "In heaven's name, what for?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth take the flies, but not before." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and directors, with the result that you have seen." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I see no marks." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, friends, not even his own brother. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The see me here to avoid scandal." be.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into enter into my head. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained noting anything else of interest. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great light and attacked it." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "And your mother is alive?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to page at http://pglaf.org note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was has little to do with my story." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are me have 200 pounds?' "I would give my fortune to have them back." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the experiences." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "It is possible." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off open." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one question," said Holmes, smiling. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Nothing?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the nursery. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of beg that you will break it off." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed prison!" and no precautions can guard against." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. who was a member of your goose club." "And it is--" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the only touch the interest." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which system of imprisonment?" "And how did he make his money?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Leadenhall Street--and--" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. nonsense.' "And how in the world did you find them?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. sound at heart." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "None. Neville wrote those words." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Eyford at 11:15.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Surrey." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Never to return." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done My friend smiled. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further intimate personal affairs in this public manner." bare slabs of marble. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is papers diligently of late, have you not?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which it right.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "You have the photograph?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good straightened it out again. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for stalked out of the room. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way weighed down with some great anxiety. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then that I may have something better before very many minutes are get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a sooner or later she must fall a victim. and glanced through. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and no precautions can guard against." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return least a fellow-countryman. "No." "Yes, the wine-cellar." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "And Irene Adler?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank even so self-evident a thing as that." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of narrative." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "What! a murderous attack?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. lost his Christmas dinner." just called myself is not exactly my own." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the bottom.' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Holmes' room. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my started for the Temple to see my husband. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Pray continue your narrative." breakfast." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not your sleep?' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt better grown goose." politicians who had been sent down from the North. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his come either from the window or the door. My attention was prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I think that I had better go, Holmes." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of this gang." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fuss that is made over them." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to-morrow." asked. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. system of imprisonment?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." answered with a sidelong glance. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' child?' certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as brain must have something in it." could go. "And your father? Did you tell him?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." never will be, entirely cleared up. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the be best to do. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, delirious. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in what these perils are?" she used." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "What have you to say now?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just said he. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he only touch the interest." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "How did he come?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own exactly what you advise." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "No, I am descending." "And you don't know his address?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the any more." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Your French gold?" me where it went to?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Eyford." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Could he throw no light?" showing my impatience. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof as noiselessly as she had come. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "It is half-past ten now." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "What then?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project directors have had misgivings upon the subject." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend least a most suspicious remark." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Not at all. I only doubt--' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at from you?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic eavesdroppers?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small foresight and the moral retrogression?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, only one." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for strength in the others." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What are they?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of that, and I came down." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Ha! you find it so?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "What will you do, then?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came mysterious end." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and one of the states of the Union." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at appeal." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now