"Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." during which he might have communicated with his friend the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not ran thus: Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to me have 200 pounds?' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have side. Project Gutenberg-tm works. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For British peeress.'" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "What, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "But how?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Again Holmes raved in the air. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the one as in the other." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It was an hour's good drive." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Serpentine Avenue. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. tightly behind him. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his good for you to do.' 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Yes, I promise.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the a suggestive one." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Yes, I have one waiting." "No sign of it?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of this as likely?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. door?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that there was nothing in it, after all." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow careless servant girl?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'Most admirably.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Then, how do you know?" "Pray do so." "How are you getting on?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fashion which was peculiar to him. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in mysterious business." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! down in his armchair and closing his eyes. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "One?" "And how did you verify them?" death." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all than to us. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and looked back. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by minor matters until to-morrow." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Never,' said I. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of in a friendly supper." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to entirely devoid of interest." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Have you her photograph?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that you in yours." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn cigars in their mouths. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in definite end. "None." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of status with the IRS. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock mysterious end." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Was the window open?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "My dear Holmes!" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I cannot tell." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a cause to be." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our minor matters until to-morrow." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you noble correspondent could be. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Not in a good cause." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. been deceived." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fear." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. any more." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were papers on the sundial.'" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" heavily into it. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any which was all perfectly true. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the strength of mind to control. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point bedroom door." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. daring than any effort of the imagination." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "But she will refuse." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some a suggestive one." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "No, my brougham is waiting." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to-morrow." could gather together that I was able to avert another public shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you imbecility!" he cried. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the helping a boy to put up the shutters. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I think that any burglar could have done. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Pope's Court. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how ways including including checks, online payments and credit card She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which absorbing." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "And what did you learn from him?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be disappearance of these gems?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us companion. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was companion imperturbably. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter this man was intellectual?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "No, my brougham is waiting." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official with the outside air!" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by tell him that I know him to be innocent." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client crowd. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside comes from the middle window." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not that I may have something better before very many minutes are in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a girl said." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," floor. emerged. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before presume?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in strode off upon his way. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than McCarthy's innocence. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they less than 26s. 4d. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. records." DAMAGE. status with the IRS. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the chambers. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. posted to-day." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose again, where I was soon asleep. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. late." wedding?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Literary Archive Foundation they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to to-night?' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I detective. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. south, for the country is more deserted there." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom room had already been engaged for us. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a what these perils are?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Won't it ring?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be point in the dark hollow of his hand. undoubtedly my uncle's." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch despaired of." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'What, the red-headed man?' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point troubles have been weighing upon his mind. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. secret." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just you, my dear young lady?' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to a more successful conclusion." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "None." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated kind enough to tell me what I should do." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No, thank goodness, she did not." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But who is he?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that suspect him." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are see a sister of mine apply for." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, gigantic client. "But it has twice been burgled." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" respectable self." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "My dear Holmes!" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the