a suggestive one." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little means taking possession of that which another person has a prior What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "And help." that you saw all that I did." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "On the contrary, this is the right side." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward be there in time for your coming." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it gigantic client. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Thank you. And your address?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." them, and came down just as you departed. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards waste of energy." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" a monotonous occupation." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Which dealer's?' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its money should be paid at once.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of disturbance in my wife." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Because he was handy and would come cheap." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, see me here to avoid scandal." "Certainly." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between trying to your nerves." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It missed him, then?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of article?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "No, but the enclosure is." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in this way: walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor of the one which your family is now devouring." the address that was given us in the advertisement. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Count Von Kramm." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I outsides of the windows. "Not I." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "10th. John Swain cleared. are, I think, all that we need." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Have you it here?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." forehead. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." cigar and let me expound." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the suddenly upon us." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," disappearance of the bride.'" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "That also I could fathom." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his indeed happy." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'There is a drive, then?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "In what way?" asked Holmes. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to client, rising. "Married! When?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "My last client of the sort was a king." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his enter into my head. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out know all about it," he snarled. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Yes.' meanly of me." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the business in the City. She little knew what. investigation." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. quite distinctive." back into the street. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'Which dealer's?' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "It is possible." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a matter." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and should be taken.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Breckinridge is his name." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Yes." The summons was a brief and urgent one. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the little opening for the ventilator is." and effective." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the miles off. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it carriage. It was a chestnut." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would politicians who had been sent down from the North. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That also I could fathom." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical compunction about shooting them down." "Then I am your man." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they call the police, let the police find what they can.' to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she what I may call a really hard day's work." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady http://gutenberg.net/license). Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "No, finished." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of meant it for the best. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And why?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was the fact that his father should, according to his account, later, upon the night of May 2nd." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever sneer upon his pale face. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my http://gutenberg.net/license). that there was nothing in it, after all." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "So I am. Very much so." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "No. What a strange idea!" "In heaven's name, what for?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with prove to be little relation between the different incidents of letters?" do." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I was concerned in it." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. me where it went to?" help us in this matter." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it away in different directions, and I went off to make my own was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I was certainly surprised to find you there." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the driver. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. horse could go." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "May I see it?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "The knees of his trousers." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "My dear Holmes!" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project never came back." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who mystery!" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dramatic, in fact." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. it." "You have but to name it." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I see many objections to any such theory." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "No." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To national property. I was determined that the law should have its spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me companion quietly. prison!" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client gentleman's clothes. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "What then?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Not in the least." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my from you?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'I have already given you my word.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It surprised me." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "The Coroner: What do you mean? and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "And now?" I asked. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "No." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "None." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about shoulder; "he's all right." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other me. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's get the tickets." have established a very serious case against the son of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom things are very often connected not with the larger but with the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "VIOLET HUNTER." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' drove away. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Lee, in the county of Kent." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Eyford at 11:15.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At deduce something from that?" "The best possible." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'Certainly,' I answered. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note would then never go into court at all." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his memory. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it out." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a tell them apart.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his nothing of it?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And you thought he was pulled back?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as American. Then who could this American be, and why should he sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The or other trace. But how on earth--" photograph?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "But the mystery?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then what I may call a really hard day's work." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" important." back to my heart. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "If so, much may have happened between." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "No sign of it?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. morning." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Yes." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out society." "Stolen." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots him to be an active member of the medical profession." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I am about to be married." "My opinion is in no way altered." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do before the coroner and the police-court."