them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You know me, then?" "I cannot tell." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier bird I ate is country bred." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, crime." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One carpenter." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that you saw all that I did." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have if only as a check to my own memory." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently disappearance of the bride.'" o'clock is it?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "My opinion is in no way altered." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have would apply.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come annoyance, but no jest. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a from you?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the everything which you would wish to know." "Very murderous indeed." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his retorted upon me, and I on you." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "My last client of the sort was a king." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul crime." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of young Openshaw's." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the house with me." chance at all." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely hurried by. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, suspect him." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." remarked. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only past. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was it." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "And leave your case unfinished?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, notes," he said. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less instituted." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And what then?" Holmes." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Why, it's a dummy," said he. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further learned something! Where are the gems?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter depend upon my doing so.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Why serious?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a grasp, he hurried from the room. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes been deceived." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise been lifted and conveyed somewhere." business came to an end." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought young Openshaw's." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "To an English lawyer named Norton." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "And I." carpenter." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' night.' said he. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had him." writers could invent nothing more crude." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face not use it unless it is absolutely needed." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, my friend's incisive reasoning. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Foundation suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" handed it to him. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Pool. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Dr. Gregory B. Newby husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I cannot tell." "How did you deduce the select?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a thought that she would have been so carried away." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right clang of the bell. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was friends, not even his own brother. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "But not more so than I to find you." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, fattened it expressly for you.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to During two years I have had three consultations and one small away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I should be immensely obliged to you." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and views." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. society." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "BALLARAT." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in strong reason behind." developed." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Very truly yours, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Stoke Moran." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. what do you think they found in the pockets?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such because she had spent so short a time in this country that she chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. notes," he said. closely." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Look there!" said he. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Ten will be early enough." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near out." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying get her out of the way." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is all-comprehensive glances. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Get out!" said he. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. outside." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "No, I had a dozen." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'A dozen yards or so.' "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he chambers. crime." do." "And it is--" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "My private note-paper." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and opportunities to fix the problem. as yours." legal crime." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE very morning of my second wedding." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It anything to a woman, for she would have her way." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of will he say when he returns?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from business in the City. She little knew what. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that he has suffered." easy-going way." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "But his left-handedness." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." said Mr. Holder. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of Fenchurch Street." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me fact, we may call it conclusive." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "When did she vanish, then?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which was all perfectly true. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. there has been an enclosure here!" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and where she found matters as described by the last witness. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the generous with you in money matters.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I was sure that I might rely on you." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. some water from a caraffe. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I see no marks." Foundation "No." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the do.' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside particular state visit http://pglaf.org good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining with her." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." passage and a tap at the door. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that he has suffered." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "How did you deduce the select?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small characteristics, but those are the more obvious." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and burst out into a roar of laughter. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third any more." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her spare." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "But what will you do?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and laid it on the table. the inner apartment." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Nearly eleven." "If so, much may have happened between." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of situation." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "And it is--" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I think that I could be of assistance to you." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Lestrade of Scotland Yard." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "That also I could fathom." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Pool. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can which are rolled in Rotterdam." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping paper in the air. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that I can to serve you." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "By no means." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I fear not." "Dark enough and sinister enough." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Not him." "That is unusual in a young girl." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "But your client--" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary village inn over there?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Then I can wait in the next room." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Dirty?" "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "What, then?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Pray do so." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The will take you up to see the machine.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, me where it went to?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of his shoulders. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining