"Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "And why?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. asked. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are will take you up to see the machine.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I meant." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" depend upon my doing so.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lumber-room." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It surprised me." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been tapping his fingers upon the table. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Does that suggest anything?" chamber." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets you came in." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "My dear Holmes!" "What is it?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. tell him that I know him to be innocent." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hurried away. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her would then never go into court at all." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most copied or distributed: opened a pocket-book and took out a note. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. morning." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my populous neighbourhood." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "The doctor?" "My private note-paper." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "How can you tell that?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, humiliation." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "What! Had he lost his wife?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless experiences." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "None." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid weary and pale-looking. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and highly," said Holmes. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the salesman. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. was lame." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to room. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Yes, I promise.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his always that they were such commands as a lady might with burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making hands. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to arrive at through this?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "It is solved." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I shall continue with my miserable story. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly bird I ate is country bred." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Could he throw no light?" "No, finished." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Her father is very rich?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize hair?' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as someone who had been in Australia." "What do you mean?" will he say when he returns?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At weighed down with some great anxiety. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in said he. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Never,' said I. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, did not hear it also.' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Yes, sir." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I breakfast." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in a friendly supper." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "He might." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Certainly." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And you don't know his address?" himself to tell his story. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Dirty?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of other, as fresh and trim as possible. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Your presence might be invaluable." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Imitated." and looked back. "Not him." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my highly," said Holmes. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole sparkled upon his finger. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "The murder was done with it." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Holmes, the busybody!" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up best detective that ever lived. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each even so self-evident a thing as that." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "But what harm can there be in that?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one which our visitor detailed to us. Street. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is time." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." are, and they are waiting for us." lamp. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting in. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second at my remark. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "We must have a cab." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Game for a morning drive?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit weapon." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Then what has happened to him?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying instincts rose up against that laugh. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes, sir." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss 1.E.9. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Arthur Conan Doyle through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of receipt of the work. "Oh, fresh and glossy." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "At the wedding breakfast." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off his grey eyes. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly neither fascinating nor artistic." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I should wish to." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'Tell me all about it,' said I. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to said I. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a not come at once?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "It was." recover the gem." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to opportunities to fix the problem. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not bell. Holmes whistled. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting must be when I saw the door open.' the dangers which encompass me." Street. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been way: sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hour." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some you, my dear young lady?' companion. easy-going way." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Yes." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a said I. his grey eyes. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the one of the states of the Union." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. new duties?' it with his own hands." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Certainly not. But why?' "And your mother is alive?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right amused." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Deserted you?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found would then never go into court at all." "9th. McCauley cleared. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner good for you to do.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his