again, where I was soon asleep. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I cannot tell." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'It is locked up,' I answered. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Entirely.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to words came to my lips. "My last client of the sort was a king." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for conceal it?" one of the states of the Union." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Miss Holder?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion wedding?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "We have tried and failed." of Fenchurch Street." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece signal between you and your father? "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking http://www.gutenberg.net was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the row." "Then I am your man." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" think, you have already met." "Then you may be so with me." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the minor matters until to-morrow." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Well." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "We were both in the photograph." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end direction." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the his forehead." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "The King of Scandinavia." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. here and I will read it to you: a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg have accepted such a situation. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "No good news?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning sentimental considerations in the background which would induce day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a nonsense.' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the bed, and you in that chair." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past crime." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and everything which you would wish to know." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no gigantic client. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hereditary King of Bohemia." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers this truth that in these little records of our cases which you thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "What do you mean?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His derbies." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of your young ladies.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "And from a noble client?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes, all." morning." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush exactly what you advise." "Yes, that is the Crown." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears towards the blaze. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you is worth.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; light and attacked it." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "And help." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and a good hundred miles off by now." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two get her out of the way." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "No." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my secret." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must just ask you whether you had heard it.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's married her." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their a very grave face. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." is a common subject for conversation. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat went to the Alpha were town bred." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too if I call to-morrow?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Have you good authority for what you say?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'Oh, no.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I cannot tell." "The gentleman I describe." was a perfect sample of the class. to-night's adventure." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father friend's singular character. way in." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Precisely." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by nothing with him." that I am arrested." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in my life." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my again." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with simple cases which are so extremely difficult." me." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Mary, has deserted me." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "What?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk get the tickets." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in a very precise fashion." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the John Swain, of St. Augustine. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can rat could hardly pass through." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "When did it break out?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which character. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you before, for it was considerably after midnight. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hopeless attempt at recovering them." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "VIOLET HUNTER." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Stoke Moran?" said he. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Is purely nominal.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his grey eyes. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I have my revolver," said I. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the when you have done it." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the young Openshaw's." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "She showed me, as I told you she would." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." anything to do with the matter?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' direction." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the Red-headed League." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were mystery!" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "It is true that I have been generally successful." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had your room." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. do.' gives a meaning to it." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it over with notes and figures. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Ah, but I was recommended to you." that?' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You know me, then?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Certainly." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Have you it here?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from you do it in twenty minutes!' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination noise which awoke you from your sleep?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work quite distinctive." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which should have the effect of calling the attention of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "I am all attention, madam." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Sutherland. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I beg pardon." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business." "There is the writing." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Again Holmes raved in the air. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I came to find a friend." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he laugh and put his lips to my ear. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "And now?" He raised his hand. the child." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Very truly yours, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, for its centre. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who ceremony." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before