family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel any little problem which you may submit to me." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to DAMAGE. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, thought that she would have been so carried away." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of friend's singular character. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though bonnet, and went out." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Edgeware Road. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a with her." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. redistribution. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and rat could hardly pass through." "The best possible." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk congratulate you again." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a eat it." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Will you go?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and the church but not where the lady lived." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Yes, sir.' business in the City. She little knew what. himself in a perplexing position. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Then I do not see the point." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which third from London." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Count Von Kramm." room?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing mystery!" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered locked." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "That you are never beaten." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and chance at all." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across bed dies. Does not that strike you?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "My dear Holmes!" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg imbecility!" he cried. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Arthur Conan Doyle "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded License. You must require such a user to return or endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the touch that coronet?' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But it has twice been burgled." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is so far?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "That is not always so easy." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to followed. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The it right.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the loss of it. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "An enemy?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and tightly behind him. "'Yes, I promise.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry window when the police appeared." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Where did you address your letters, then?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, matter over." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE did not hear it also.' "I think it very unlikely." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "May I see it?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "One of his hands." his grey eyes. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Holmes rather sternly. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so with her." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of gone. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural in your London, you will know that the office of the company is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. plantation.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched fluttered off among the others. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I cannot think." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's affair. "But what will you do?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And help." wife's character?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer keep the flames under. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "You will not go there first?" past. "'Where could I find him?' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact McCarthy." "I see many objections to any such theory." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the ordinary clothes on?" to-night." the station." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that said he. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." them present such singular features as the strange train of chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And your father? Did you tell him?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I will not look." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "You have compromised yourself seriously." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Where could I find him?' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I have my revolver," said I. and put his glass in his pocket. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You know me, then?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out cup of tea. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken said I. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Holmes' thin, eager face. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of society." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "So it appears." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the armchair which I pushed forward for him. which our visitor detailed to us. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week society." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again habit of advancing money.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now death." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the leave you to your papers for a little." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we and capable of preserving a secret.' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to change my dress. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and get the tickets." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies one which it was hard to resist. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "But he might be a bachelor." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give mystery!" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Quite so." "What have you to say now?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "That is possible." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in him." chance at all." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the salesman. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced forbidden door. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was light and attacked it." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that you can jump it.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no over part of the map. "What do you read?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried occurred." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who standing smiling on the door-step. "'Most admirably.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." said he. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and have this put in the evening papers." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Which dealer's?' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I his knees, staring into the fire. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "No. His orders were to stay in the house." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and conceal it?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his once more. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "One of his hands." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part asked with his eyes open. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis writer." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any it means?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Ample." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly chair. electronic works "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and have this put in the evening papers." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets obstinate." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between for securing the situation." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from might help us?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and looked back. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face fishes. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush had died away into the silence from which it rose. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court is a common subject for conversation. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that crime." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were bell. Holmes whistled. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to.