reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is very kind of you." friend's singular character. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is gone before you can get him to hospital." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to gone. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Precisely so. But how--" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so did not hear it also.' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'And what are they worth?' I asked. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' voice, changing her seat as requested. speckled band?" orange pips. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." out." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set not within a twentieth part of the market price." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, room?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced it with his own hands." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "He disappeared so suddenly." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary meanly of me." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Nothing." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." you do it in twenty minutes!' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked tension within him. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," following enigmatical notices: gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "So it appears." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? could go. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I shaken than I had ever seen him. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the coronet in his hand?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, row." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether already been minutely examined." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly rose-bushes. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Yes?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to you." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'In my own bureau.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Henry Baker is a member." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I never have." "Then you may be so with me." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter have not had my rubber." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he had this final quarrel? all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an you." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake held up the lantern and gazed about him. For additional contact information: Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Serpentine Avenue. seven miles from Eyford Station.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich arms and began to sob in a high treble key. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hands. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I October 9, 1890. that threaten you." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight observed. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the your sleep?' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and look dissatisfied." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "What! Had he lost his wife?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and some terrible trap for her." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to some other building. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." round and wave him away like that.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the stammered. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in letters?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea delirious. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Ha! you find it so?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "It is solved." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I behind me. "By train from Waterloo." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Your sister is dead, then?" of Fenchurch Street." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or soul! here is her carriage at the door." round and wave him away like that.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had During two years I have had three consultations and one small you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between interested in these little problems, and since you are good and glanced through. mystery!" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His deduce something from that?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Did you become engaged then?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "I answered that I had not. weary and pale-looking. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I have a cab outside." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital could not have written that. It is the German who is so "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me you for a few hours?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. mysterious end." papers diligently of late, have you not?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It is possible." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did later, upon the night of May 2nd." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the mysterious end." "Your presence might be invaluable." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it? Did I buy the geese off you?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work is a common subject for conversation. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but a suggestive one." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' I nodded again. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I cannot tell." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Did you observe the colour?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case outsides of the windows. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "VIOLET HUNTER." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "No, but the enclosure is." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or thin legs towards the fire. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came cigar and let me expound." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "An enemy?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." individual and becomes the badge of a society." here." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my became a certainty. "Yes, sir." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the gone. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, which was all perfectly true. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the before the coroner and the police-court." used to be." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." room had already been engaged for us. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very you." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the night.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took crime. Where does the thing come from?' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, your bag." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "What do you make of that, Watson?" "But I am all in the dark." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Nothing?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "In heaven's name, what for?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But who is he?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and to-night's adventure." side. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" least a fellow-countryman. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may distance from the station, and there we found the young lady old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary train.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper and that he would see to anything that turned up. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon rooms." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as of them has the shutters up.' "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "My Mary? Impossible!" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It was a confession," I ejaculated. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can fact, we may call it conclusive." "There are none." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Is purely nominal.' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I am in hopes that she does." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "My stepfather's business papers." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and from the brougham. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on it with his own hands." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each foresight and the moral retrogression?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an later, upon the night of May 2nd." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old it? Did I buy the geese off you?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "What, then?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads careless servant girl?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "What, then, did Peterson do?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the coronet at all injured?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident indeed which he could not unravel. was keenly on my guard against him. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "By no means." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "What are they?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the in him." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news.