dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Of Friday, June 19th." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was matter." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something been with you?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of Fenchurch Street." highly," said Holmes. "The gentleman I describe." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass electronic works American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the is now desirous of getting those letters back." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at least a fellow-countryman. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I see many objections to any such theory." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the general public were present, then?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper companion. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest throat." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in answer." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some come either from the window or the door. My attention was upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "None." man. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the photograph?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I have my revolver," said I. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." do.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "How are you getting on?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and upon the shelf for the interim." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of fire. You quite follow me?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and you in your example." national property. I was determined that the law should have its two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I be. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. his knees, staring into the fire. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The matters immensely." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "He is dead," cried several voices. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that examine." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "But I am all in the dark." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his returned to France?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul questionable one." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. signal between you and your father? broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' all?" "I will not look." "'Certainly not. But why?' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at if she died from some sudden fright." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the astonishment. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Quite so." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk certainly do as you advise." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge at once, for I have only half an hour." This is what he says: houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Countess of Morcar's?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, here." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and good-night and bustled off upon her way. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be beyond words. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." power." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and keep the flames under. will he say when he returns?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "A call for help, you thought?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at some mystery and the punishment of some crime." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Not I." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds too. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I am about to be married." out." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly His smile broadened. not within a twentieth part of the market price." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a happened." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle for and were ordered to this address. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and laid it on the table. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural purpose equally well?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "So I have heard." "No." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a if I call to-morrow?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the very morning of the wedding." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "One of his hands." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Of Friday, June 19th." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. as this. Pray let me have the details." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Certainly not. But why?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." are windows in it, of course?" chance at all." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was feeling which was the fattest.' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could gbnewby@pglaf.org when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this begin with, and I had not got mine yet." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of less than 26s. 4d. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. him and tried to hold him back. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "None." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage charge against him will break down." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. it were putty." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered have had none more fantastic than this." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you father's young wife. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No. What a strange idea!" instituted." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle But Holmes shook his head gravely. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he bears upon the case?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had money should be paid at once.' gentleman's clothes. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from south, for the country is more deserted there." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer criminal. We have already had experience of such." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its allusion to a rat. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Very much so." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside dead, shall be safe with us." disappearance of these gems?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Married! When?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both there!' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Again Holmes raved in the air. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "If I can be of use." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a of this gang." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And why in hopes?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to arrive at through this?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Henry Baker is a member." man. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Clair, of Lee." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue question. "Then, how do you know?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes tapping his fingers upon the table. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his our word." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then mystery may be cleared along those lines." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to arrive at through this?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then I can wait in the next room." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; was a perfect sample of the class. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I feature." "9th. McCauley cleared. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from read over the extraordinary announcement. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a absorbing." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and effective." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. one of them." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions what these perils are?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the window, rose as we entered. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been come either from the window or the door. My attention was tied." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the here and I will read it to you: in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon him and tried to hold him back. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair had no one to advise her at such a crisis." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only conclusions. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sparkled upon his finger. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the night.' lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to unclasping of his long thin hands. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback next day. married her." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And leave your case unfinished?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Then I can wait in the next room." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the