decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I nodded to show that I had heard. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from crime. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I fat-encircled eyes. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the new duties?' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." vault. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Well, some hundreds of times." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But what harm can there be in that?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "A confidential servant?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest events than those which have happened in my own family." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless manager. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "If I can be of use." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "And Irene Adler?" "There are none." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant vague figure huddled up in the darkness. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "But his left-handedness." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "How can you tell that?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew secret." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one where we are going." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid highly," said Holmes. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he your room." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain down in his armchair and closing his eyes. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small already referred to. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. public press." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not to go into your room and bar your shutters?" question. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass indeed happy." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this these bleak autumnal evenings." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "What have you to say now?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to despair." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how out of this horrible affair." most interesting one." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It was." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of way in everything. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "In answer to an advertisement." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if II. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the 11:15.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I am still in the dark." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "You are hungry," I remarked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my woman." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was lame." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon your troubles." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed McCarthy's innocence. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of generous with you in money matters.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "My stepfather's business papers." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically before, for it was considerably after midnight. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and in one or two places in England?' "Game for a morning drive?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "One of the highest in England." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Tell me all about it,' said I. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On time." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My during that time.' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical shall use the carriage to-night." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my special province." arrangements." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. case before our client came into the room." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever at once, for I have only half an hour." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and looked back. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "By no means." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "But what will you do?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Edgeware Road. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque miles off. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than fear." window when the police appeared." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call narrative." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had directly by questioning you." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled call for it in person on Monday morning.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had purpose of examination. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it matter." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and unkempt, staring out at me. I nodded to show that I had heard. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "When did it break out?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on overpowering excitement and concern. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It is a murder, then?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. which it had come upon my father." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many opened the door, and slipped through. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I have my revolver," said I. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is people in all walks of life. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton because she had spent so short a time in this country that she given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as at home. "He disappeared so suddenly." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Stoke Moran?" said he. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have your troubles." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss directly by questioning you." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and have this put in the evening papers." was not a bird to be seen there. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat fashion which was peculiar to him. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of promised to bring home. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I from you?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'Is 4 pounds a week.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first London for the present?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was wedding?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to late!' "It goes to the housekeeper's room." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." it." the salesman. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Holmes. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, appeared upon the scene." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Then how many are there?" "May I see it?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the running down." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, security.' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled drove away. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Miss Holder?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by trying to your nerves." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon shadow pass over his face as I spoke. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "On your arm?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Oh, fresh and glossy." towards the blaze. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, vanished into the darkness. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "But how will you look?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of acquaintance?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not come at once?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. in his power. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have round with crates and massive boxes. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he your troubles." "Look there!" said he. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should himself to tell his story. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." into the room. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I interested in these little problems, and since you are good across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the matter." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the running down." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." lumber-room." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a he died? many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that long narrative. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be digesting their breakfasts at home." States. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight said I. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Thank you. Pray proceed." time." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of be best to do. "No, finished." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' outsides of the windows. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Was he the only applicant?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my