the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was furiously. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I am still in the dark." as yours." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; salesman. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Certainly." "But your client--" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you be sorry for having acted so harshly." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. leave you to your papers for a little." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Which dealer's?' not personally threatened." "This concluded the examination of the witness." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Certainly." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in way: "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Witness: Nothing definite. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "'I have heard so.' said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by closing the door. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an reach." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the stable lane now." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, it is a possible supposition." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I was mad--insane." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to strength in the others." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lumber-room." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "What steps will you take?" I asked. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Very murderous indeed." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Never.' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings charged with?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Yes, the wine-cellar." and inquire as to the address." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent over here." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think better grown goose." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Bought." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a visitors." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "At the wedding breakfast." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Very much so." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It surprised me." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You have compromised yourself seriously." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" voice, changing her seat as requested. to some other building. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I think it very unlikely." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as hour?' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and examine." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard habit of advancing money.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You have compromised yourself seriously." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." pierced for earrings?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "So I am. Very much so." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I think that I could be of assistance to you." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "I am in hopes that she does." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that I can to serve you." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I am not easy in my mind about them." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked sufficient punishment." gone. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush perplexity from it to my illustrious client. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Well, but China?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow south, for the country is more deserted there." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Breckinridge is his name." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." signal between you and your father? Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "On your arm?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "No, finished." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a gigantic client. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "My photograph." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'I am sure that I do not know.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Mary, has deserted me." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "In which, sir?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for What do you deduce from it?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I is so. I know all about McCarthy." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my may never be exposed to such a temptation." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate stalked out of the room. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a closing the door. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "You think so, too?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "To an English lawyer named Norton." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "No. What a strange idea!" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Yes." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of certainly not very gracious." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Dr. Becher's." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Munro.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will point our research must commence, and we will begin it by round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "And when will you call?" "The knees of his trousers." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Munro.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Absolutely none." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the before the coroner and the police-court." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of your young ladies.' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Where to?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, distinguish the words: here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." direction." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I said Mr. Holder. "None." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "No." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as of receipt of the work. open." "No." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy assist you in forming an opinion." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the manager. I think that I could be of assistance to you." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I think that it is very probable." Farm upon the left." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads with some details as to your case." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he little adventures." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes, from Horsham." "'Where could I find him?' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent noble correspondent could be. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that child?' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one away to you." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's directly by questioning you." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Awake, Watson?" he asked. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the felt?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this to a light-house. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall other, as fresh and trim as possible. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is someone who had been in Australia." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "So I heard. You have him here?" this man was intellectual?" highroad, where all traces were lost. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign over part of the map. "What do you read?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Absolutely?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Yes." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in generous with you in money matters.' extraordinary contortions. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they business at Coburg Square is serious." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, from Horsham." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Never." me. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Why that?' I asks. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, them, and came down just as you departed. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You forget that I know nothing about it." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "And now?" He raised his hand. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'I have already given you my word.' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was himself. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Gutenberg-tm License. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the thin legs towards the fire. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the south-west, I see." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to have had none more fantastic than this." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask."