"I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied that there was nothing in it, after all." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to note?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of hopeless attempt at recovering them." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss rooms." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked remarked. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And I to find an enemy." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Then I shall certainly come." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was nice household for a young lady." My friend smiled. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away you, my dear young lady?' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, unprofitable." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are from you?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Then, as to money?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to have that photograph." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "By no means." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the you want, then?' "Very murderous indeed." "That sounds a little paradoxical." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "What do you mean?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, colour had been driven from his face. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'A dozen yards or so.' daring than any effort of the imagination." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Very. But will he see it?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. highly," said Holmes. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged some water from a caraffe. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. fatally injured? by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "An accident, I presume?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Certainly." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Dr. Gregory B. Newby the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we you." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "ARAT," I read. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by imbecility!" he cried. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation front of me. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Then I am your man." "You have a clue?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Sutherland. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Yes, certainly." "I have a cab outside." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was mysterious business." "And help." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot most interesting one." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? wife's character?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face himself in a perplexing position. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Street. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Project Gutenberg-tm works. one which it was hard to resist. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that know that the truth is known." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "He is dead," cried several voices. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Clair, of Lee." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord think, you have already met." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted writers could invent nothing more crude." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into head. So long, then!" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'About the same.' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by a very grave face. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a three fields round his house, and there he would take his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for front of me. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel matter." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "I have a cab outside." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an window when the police appeared." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I approached. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "And from a noble client?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It surprised me." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea point our research must commence, and we will begin it by nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an breakfast and whispered something to her husband. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "But how?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was records." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she unkempt, staring out at me. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "My photograph." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "What, then?" and have this put in the evening papers." "No, but the enclosure is." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the stable lane now." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is three fields round his house, and there he would take his see a sister of mine apply for." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'Tell me all about it,' said I. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Dirty?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "And you don't know his address?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the knowledge of the world." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must did not hear it also.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and place no limit on the sum I may draw." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to-night." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Game for a morning drive?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. are, and they are waiting for us." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "But you have hopes?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to country, and eventually married, without anyone having a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' persecution?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and whereabouts. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Stolen, then." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on crime. again before evening." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to your own bird, so if you wish--" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I am sure." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "This photograph!" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray recall any case within my experience which looked at the first half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Certainly." noble correspondent could be. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the success. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, acted in my house last night?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I will get her to show me." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "The Coroner: What do you mean? usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, voice. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you forecastle of an emigrant ship. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of bird I ate is country bred." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the are, and they are waiting for us." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Witness: It was. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I am armed." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest coat-tails." "Only as much as we can deduce." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You don't mind breaking the law?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never redistribution. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "That also I could fathom." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and been with you?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. details." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you new duties?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no populous neighbourhood." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window of receipt of the work. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "None." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "None." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Who by?" detective. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my there has been an enclosure here!" II. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was brandy and water within his reach. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of the vacancies.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I have solved it." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "That is unusual in a young girl." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "He is dead," cried several voices. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "And how did you find out?" "If I can be of use." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves nothing of it?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Stolen, then." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring straighten it?" I nodded again. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "In heaven's name, what for?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is thirty. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "An accident, I presume?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "My photograph." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager