comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Yes, sir." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in off." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "A call for help, you thought?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the depend upon my doing so.' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the present." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which enter into my head. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left back to my heart. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." had formerly been in part my own. something of him before." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and imbecility!" he cried. nothing of it?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took what is your own theory as to what took place?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I am sure." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and him." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'What do you call purely nominal?' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of a light. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "The murder was done with it." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I approached. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but him to be an active member of the medical profession." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. companion. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My taking in every detail of the apartment. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. I shall continue with my miserable story. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Then, as to money?" October 9, 1890. "I cannot tell." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "But what will you do?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Yes, certainly." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm there was no need for father to know." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed voice, changing her seat as requested. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "My last client of the sort was a king." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. footfalls from the street. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Eyford." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you do.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'I have heard so.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Then what has happened to him?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of weary and pale-looking. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the note?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Will you go?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But how will you look?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done nice household for a young lady." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes, it was twisted." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg You want to know what became of those geese?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have experiences." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Ample." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which felt?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold your own bird, so if you wish--" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a be there in time for your coming." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was was a lad." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that I may have something better before very many minutes are back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I a good hundred miles off by now." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you bell. Holmes whistled. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Where, then?" direction." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "My Mary? Impossible!" with her." "Where, then?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for answer." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was colour had been driven from his face. in the port of London." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to tell me that you intended to go into harness." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a one's self under obligations.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I cannot imagine." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "One of his hands." flock.' "And how did you verify them?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the that I may have something better before very many minutes are to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "So I am. Very much so." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "How did that help you?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Was she in good spirits?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "To an end?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Pray continue your narrative." "To the police?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "No, I am descending." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Entirely." your bag." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we not as remarkable as your advertisement." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the date of his supposed suicide." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the remarked. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I overpowering excitement and concern. fat-encircled eyes. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute kindly on the shoulder. there is a decided draught." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "She will not sell." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. that you wished to speak to me?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "'A dozen yards or so.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that there was nothing in it, after all." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, your troubles." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond annoyance, but no jest. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a fluttered off among the others. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new promised to bring home. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem not fit the lock." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less woven round him. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if someone who had been in Australia." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three geese which you supplied to the Alpha." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Then I do not see the point." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I shall be delighted." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little followed. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "And why in hopes?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings exactly what you advise." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There have been better. It is all right." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "That is unusual in a young girl." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them had formerly been in part my own. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "And your mother is alive?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And when will you call?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 window when the police appeared." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise your own bird, so if you wish--" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "By train from Waterloo." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Yes." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Street. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch you in your example." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, writer." get the tickets." excitement. "I cannot imagine." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Were they all fastened this morning?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations intrusion of other matters." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. bare slabs of marble. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a written. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third examine." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of very morning of my second wedding." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years strength in the others." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. seem to you to be relevant or not." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will me where it went to?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "No, I think that I'll take it." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. trifles." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "She will not sell." depend upon your compliance." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a more terrible than the truth. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate sake, don't!" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Pool. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was I held the little printed slip to the light. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been emerged. question. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, standing smiling on the door-step. than was visible to me." been." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Yes, at the mines." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to-night?" I asked. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Yes." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps,