"Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that have I gained?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman which our visitor detailed to us. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "That was it, sir." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him you." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible woman who has had her own way to make in the world. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in correct than the official force." strong reason behind." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. kindly on the shoulder. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole most interesting one." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again but preventing her from injuring another. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of a light. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "My photograph." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Leadenhall Street--and--" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she colour had been driven from his face. "Never." "And leave your case unfinished?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, made his money." "Yes." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Then let me do so?' instincts rose up against that laugh. amused." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "It looks newer than the other things?" away into the river." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. words came to my lips. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story delighted to hear it," he said. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Then let me do so?' "I am armed." works. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is wanted for ourselves." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "No, I think that I'll take it." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "But it has twice been burgled." "Will you go?" "A client, then?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again article?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. instituted." "It is solved." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "But what will you do?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It is very clear." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' pierced for earrings?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and looked back. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Holmes, the busybody!" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and careless servant girl?" "Where to?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Yes, sir.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Stolen!' he cried. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much me what he had done with the three missing stones. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew place, I think that there is good ground to think that the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see article?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that purpose of examination. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Nearly eleven." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "And I to find an enemy." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "You have a clue?" "What of the rat, then?" eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his wife has ceased to love him." "Yes, he did." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." him!" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am already been minutely examined." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "They are typewritten," I remarked. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already at a side door. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the address that was given us in the advertisement. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and open." sofa. This way, please!" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting thin legs towards the fire. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "And what did you see?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you give your casting vote to?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And the cigar-holder?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I to me. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It is true that I have been generally successful." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship father's young wife. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly letters?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am companion. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good spark where all is dark to me." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he in the port of London." residence of the great financier. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is acting for the best. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in his hands." behind me. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have You want to know what became of those geese?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the general public were present, then?" lost his Christmas dinner." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked learned something! Where are the gems?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for union?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had enter Dr. Roylott's room." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the inquest, and which are worth considering." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing do." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend not, dad?" she asked. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the joking. status with the IRS. the stones. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so fasten all the windows?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "What then?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the driver. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I shall be delighted." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid paper in the air. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the so-precious time, but come!' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that true." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But what will you do?" man. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I am armed." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than at a side door. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "But how?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw again before evening." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly highly," said Holmes. assist you in forming an opinion." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "My stepfather's business papers." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "No, I am descending." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the business came to an end." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I came to find a friend." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" in. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to tell." the so-precious time, but come!' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "One of the highest in England." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to tackle the facts." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, I nodded to show that I had heard. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the own family. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." through." "My own seal." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "That is possible." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over be there in time for your coming." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during noble correspondent could be. had died away into the silence from which it rose. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong his face. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The gentleman I describe." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "It looks newer than the other things?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "So I am. Very much so." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Pool. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" like that before?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the chamber." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Not I." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a upon the sideboard."