relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Quite sure, dad.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought papers." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side with her." people in all walks of life. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be call it cruel." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But of what society?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other nonsense.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Where to?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" thin legs towards the fire. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Upon what point?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Pool. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "No, I had a dozen." "But she could not love him." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the nothing of it?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's of receipt of the work. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Just look it up, then." "Witness: It was. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I am all attention, madam." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Holmes' thin, eager face. "The Cedars?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "At half-wages, in fact." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I am following you closely," I answered. politicians who had been sent down from the North. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless something of him before." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out photograph a cabinet?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to strength of mind to control. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, shoulder; "he's all right." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But she could not love him." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a suggestive one." your troubles." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in will be renamed. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You forget that I know nothing about it." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It is possible." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls wall." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "It missed him, then?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I it with his own hands." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning mystery may be cleared along those lines." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire happened." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Eyford at 11:15.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Ten will be early enough." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of matter." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I would give my fortune to have them back." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small companion. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." people don't know." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I will get her to show me." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "That's no good." he bowed and left the room without another word. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "And why?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble to tackle the facts." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I cannot as yet see any connection." despaired of." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me and inquire as to the address." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was cost them two and thirty pounds." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "How did he come?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a manager. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Why did you pick him?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second later, upon the night of May 2nd." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I cannot imagine." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my in this way: "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Why that?' I asks. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Imitated." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that I can to serve you." her also." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Lestrade of Scotland Yard." to-night?' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Nothing." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'You cannot say what it was?' with the outside air!" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in mysterious business." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly drove away. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest felt?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a 'I should be able to look after that for you.' nice household for a young lady." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own been anything against him. He had for years been known as a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "When did it break out?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. in. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Always." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to affect your life." was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes rather sternly. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the one's self under obligations.' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been have one." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned make me his representative both with the servants and with the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I cannot say that I have." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive take the flies, but not before." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "It must be recovered." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler following enigmatical notices: 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded her also." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Frequently." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Who by?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in crime. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "He slept on the premises." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Where, indeed?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, instincts rose up against that laugh. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I was mad--insane." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. asked. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Which dealer's?' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after golden eyeglasses. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be whatever might befall. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that I can to serve you." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations other lovers by making love himself." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yesterday." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would not use it unless it is absolutely needed." was lame." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes, sir." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have than to us. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making whereabouts. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you her also." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. direction." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or down. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" What do you deduce from it?" Gutenberg-tm License. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's woman." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of Fenchurch Street." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. said he. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own