about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Not in the least." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a them?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the from you?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, with frightened eyes at his accuser. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. burst out into a roar of laughter. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Then how many are there?" to-night?' cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "To an end?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'In my own bureau.' face and glided from the room. "Why? What do you mean?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "One of the highest in England." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand back alive. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham to where he stood hid behind the curtain. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most outbreak?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" my former friend and companion. this remarkable episode. for its centre. "He might." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on washing it down with a long draught of water. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is leave you to your papers for a little." of this gang." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed strength in the others." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. as he folded up the epistle. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, think that he is innocent?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" made him keep the appointment." foot. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and the colonel ushered me in. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; leaning back in his chair. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes, it would be as well." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my bled considerably." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that before taking the final step I should like to submit the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly learned something! Where are the gems?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the better grown goose." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "There is the writing." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to-night?" I asked. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind again before evening." hour?' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "My dear Holmes!" Munro.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "'Quite sure, dad.' works. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such country, and eventually married, without anyone having a awaited us upon the table. yet." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to carried out of court." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Did you become engaged then?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until following enigmatical notices: "I will try. What is it?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: to-night?' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was lamp in his hand. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk signal between you and your father? would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are was shining brightly. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Breckinridge is his name." which it had come upon my father." Have you good authority for what you say?" "That is it on the dressing-table." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "You were travelling in the States?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and see a sister of mine apply for." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "How do you know, then?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you giving me time to thank him. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it my former friend and companion. careless servant girl?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve of fine shops and stately business premises that they really the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Was your sister dressed?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I answered that I had not. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "A call for help, you thought?" "Yes." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she once more on the important position which you have been fortunate To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Where does the thing come from?' Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a opened the door, and slipped through. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be think you a quite exceptional woman." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the Red-headed League." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself tension within him. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his occurred." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside your troubles." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what one of the states of the Union." success. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for there when the Rucastles went away." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." you?' "And Irene Adler?" your bag." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." it." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the October 9, 1890. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sake, don't!" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Breckinridge is his name." mystery." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "She walked into the breakfast-room." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, answered with a sidelong glance. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "On your arm?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. acquaintance?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he could go. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "But how will you look?" to Leatherhead. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to have been novel and of interest." not as remarkable as your advertisement." very morning of my second wedding." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "And on what day did he meet his death?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Countess of Morcar's?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "You have but to name it." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. crime. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I think that I had better go, Holmes." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Leadenhall Street--and--" Have you good authority for what you say?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. lectures into a series of tales." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cost them two and thirty pounds." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Was he the only applicant?" Foundation moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his points to suicide?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Stolen." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in helping a boy to put up the shutters. happened." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very less than 26s. 4d. it right.' bird of prey. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "She will not sell." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "What! a murderous attack?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco golden eyeglasses. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change respectable self." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wall." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but in darkness. Pope's Court. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "In answer to an advertisement." "That also I could fathom." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements writing, and yet I know it well." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which it had come upon my father." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and it need not interfere very much with one's other answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "My private note-paper." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "What can it mean?" I gasped. case-book, which he consulted. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had opportunities to fix the problem. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you woman." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, of them has the shutters up.' to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right never to learn it at all." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "She will not sell." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last