"It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Your sister is dead, then?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Then, how do you know?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in carpenter." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Literary Archive Foundation in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and someone who had been in Australia." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "By train from Waterloo." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Why that?' I asks. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "That also I could fathom." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "It is possible." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "There are none." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, some city in a dream. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ whereabouts. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his went to the Alpha were town bred." ordinary clothes on?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of father's young wife. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Indeed! Whose, then?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. taking in every detail of the apartment. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of way in." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." do you make of it all?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "But of what society?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the companion quietly. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and prisoner's face. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm went to the Alpha were town bred." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You will not go there first?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Not social, then?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual conversation I have gathered that they have been married about impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "At the wedding breakfast." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a existence." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "What is it, then--a fire?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes. He waved his hands." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." shall not find me ungrateful." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room present." letters?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and looked back. neither fascinating nor artistic." at once, for I have only half an hour." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the relief. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Here?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yes." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that he has suffered." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to talk it over. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE with frightened eyes at his accuser. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your you do it in twenty minutes!' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there prison!" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you done what I asked you, Jones?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and inquire as to the address." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, fled together." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." daring than any effort of the imagination." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third tension within him. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in his power. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Yes, I have one waiting." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry States. obstinate." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite garden below. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Really! You surprise me." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, said I. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "BALLARAT." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, do." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Munro.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" have an American origin." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. call it cruel." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this way: before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and it need not interfere very much with one's other simple cases which are so extremely difficult." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case tell them apart.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And how did you find out?" breakfast?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have electronic works "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Absolutely?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Nothing?" "Yes, but only for you and me." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "What then?" bill, which interests me deeply." "It came here." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "A thing like a cleaver," said he. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and some city in a dream. chair. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Entirely." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you meanly of me." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It must be recovered." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "You don't mind breaking the law?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will carried out of court." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "He said that you could solve anything." appeal." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. so far?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a little more before I quite committed myself. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a families. Now for the facts. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black papers must be those that are destroyed.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Stoke Moran?" said he. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Not him." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the events than those which have happened in my own family." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Witness: It was. strength of mind to control. "None." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Holmes." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "No?" past. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this father's place of business?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Well, some hundreds of times." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. security.' "'You cannot say what it was?' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in less than 26s. 4d. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, your billet.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up way in." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Always." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just this remarkable episode. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. are, I think, all that we need." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." desk. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and looked back. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Never." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What then?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the on in his house." "Did your wife hear all this?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in my life." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mystery may be cleared along those lines." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. know all about it," he snarled. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And now?" He raised his hand. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was tied." His name is Francis Prosper." "That's no good." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are excitement. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she this as likely?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I cannot imagine." "But you were on a friendly footing?" Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his might help us?" dear old homesteads?" questionable one." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, room had already been engaged for us. carried out of court." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are