simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "But who is he?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the an introduction to him?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Is purely nominal.' I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Ample.' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes opened the door, and slipped through. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "So it appears." keep the flames under. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything father's young wife. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "How can you tell that?" read it out to me." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Oh, the cause is excellent!" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of them has the shutters up.' "Yes." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Ample." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here where she found matters as described by the last witness. round and wave him away like that.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "You horrify me!" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "She showed me, as I told you she would." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to several quiet little villages up there." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." key of the affair now." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes to miss it." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime system of imprisonment?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "He said that you could solve anything." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land towards the blaze. obstinate." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "It surprised me." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week possible that we could bring him back to her? which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my system of imprisonment?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call one or two very singular points about this room. For example, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'Is purely nominal.' daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found soul! here is her carriage at the door." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the window, rose as we entered. or other trace. But how on earth--" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in his hands." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic I nodded again. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I am all attention, madam." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of strong reason behind." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely returning from some small jollification and was making his way air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another should be taken.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "In answer to an advertisement." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you hardly wander." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a on in his house." which our visitor detailed to us. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Could he throw no light?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Where does the thing come from?' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You think that he is dead?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Then let me do so?' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The it. "Won't it ring?" "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "No, I am descending." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included bearing upon the case." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to change my dress. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime down. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry once more to my work. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and brain must have something in it." said he. if she died from some sudden fright." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are outside." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "It surprised me." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. help us in this matter." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was a suggestive one." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others you." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Then I am your man." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "In San Francisco, a year ago." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises villagers almost as much as their master. from you?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" nothing with him." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'I am sure if I had known--' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell his grey eyes. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the off." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias results." washing it down with a long draught of water. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cost them two and thirty pounds." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the matter." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "A client, then?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of electronic works whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the tragedy. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Witness: It was. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the again on its way. "I am all attention, madam." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "In which, sir?" maiden herself was most instructive." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the inquest, and which are worth considering." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our roused himself from his reverie. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery License. You must require such a user to return or "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the from you?" depend upon my doing so.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk there in twenty minutes." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had little adventures." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would so.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "What will you say?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. bell. Holmes whistled. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. served to weaken the effect. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Is purely nominal.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his so.' "That you are never beaten." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was a monotonous occupation." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "You will not go there first?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to brandy and water within his reach. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more she slowly sank and died without having recovered her pictures, libraries, or plate. "Yes, he did." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. be best to do. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait nonsense.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, himself to tell his story. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "The King of Scandinavia." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the station." not, dad?" she asked. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this walking." Does that suggest anything?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Ample." "I don't say that. Perhaps." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There character. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." that he has suffered." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "So it appears." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose money should be paid at once.' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes." again on its way. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, putting in the horse. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was discontent upon his features. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in the port of London." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through crowd. Street. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "This photograph!" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, not within a twentieth part of the market price." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, all-comprehensive glances. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a hands. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of wanted for ourselves." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Dr. Becher's." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Not him." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Perhaps I have." burst out into a roar of laughter. her also." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Could he throw no light?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information "From his hat?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with