considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, get her out of the way." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this upon the shelf for the interim." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' business." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." chair. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is was a perfect sample of the class. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Her father is very rich?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the one which it was hard to resist. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further lectures into a series of tales." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very taking in every detail of the apartment. "And Irene Adler?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. was lame." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a was lame." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had British peeress.'" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note success. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And you can do nothing until then?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about had died away into the silence from which it rose. "The Coroner: What do you mean? husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Well, some hundreds of times." "My private note-paper." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. hard-headed British jury." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the coronet in his hands?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The note was undated, and without either signature or address. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I ventilator." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, lumber-room." "I should like to see him very much." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! wedding?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. wall." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Of Friday, June 19th." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been outbreak?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his back into the street. you do it in twenty minutes!' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'And the work?' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "My own seal." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is retorted upon me, and I on you." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "He is dead," cried several voices. "Why serious?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stalked out of the room. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab had no one to advise her at such a crisis." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." despaired of." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in McCarthy." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special it." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, she to prove their authenticity?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Very well, sir. And this stone?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the advice." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "A call for help, you thought?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But you were on a friendly footing?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found mystery!" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when handed it to him. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the politicians who had been sent down from the North. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City green of the new foliage. This is what he says: the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate useful material for showing traces. The double line a little what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Of what?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias green of the new foliage. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and look dissatisfied." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "That was it, sir." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. ashen face. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the extraordinary contortions. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to unprecedented a position." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." late." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER ourselves in the office." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal off." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Has he come with you to-night?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay where she found matters as described by the last witness. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, directors, with the result that you have seen." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" legal crime." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "In the cells." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he presented more singular features than that which was associated passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double were new raised from a basin. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. I shall communicate with you." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my seen the man in the road." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "They are typewritten," I remarked. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute companion. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush The events in question occurred in the early days of my name is different." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sake, don't!" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any newspaper selections." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been nothing of it?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I came to find a friend." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the even so self-evident a thing as that." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "A confidential servant?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It was a confession," I ejaculated. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "'Entirely.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Could he throw no light?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" always that they were such commands as a lady might with so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that call for it in person on Monday morning.' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third your troubles." straightened it out again. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and all of them with the keenest interest. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted never to learn it at all." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily chill to my heart. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, never to learn it at all." directors, with the result that you have seen." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I was concerned in it." "Never to return." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'And the work?' "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." lips." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "No, distinctly professional." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Here?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to ways including including checks, online payments and credit card blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has take the flies, but not before." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'I have heard so.' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to footfalls from the street. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "A confidential servant?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Come in!" said Holmes. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on been lifted and conveyed somewhere." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted been." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "But to whom?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life said Mr. Holder. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I cannot imagine." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking you." in his hands." "And it is--" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a touch that coronet?' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I shall be delighted." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the not personally threatened." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Where does the thing come from?' opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Was he the only applicant?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call south, for the country is more deserted there." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary