Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "What is it?" "Well, but China?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the running down." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" all?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Then I shall certainly come." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I have hopes." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" such attractions and accomplishments?' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the running down." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you never will be, entirely cleared up. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical is acting for the best. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "At what time?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of campaign. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of the one which your family is now devouring." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He ready to-morrow?' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Watson," he said cordially. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? copied or distributed: George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "What! Had he lost his wife?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." page at http://pglaf.org anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to chemical work which was so dear to him. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Very. But will he see it?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. case-book, which he consulted. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me shall not find me ungrateful." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "How are you getting on?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it think that he is innocent?" "And from a noble client?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "If I can be of use." you in yours." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it wanted for ourselves." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Certainly not. But why?' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Deserted you?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing crowd. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "She walked into the breakfast-room." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to stalked out of the room. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and there!' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the salesman. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "From his hat?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. purpose equally well?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. morning." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is would then never go into court at all." "It was an hour's good drive." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "No legal papers or certificates?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "You were travelling in the States?" he. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." recover the gem." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the green of the new foliage. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Street. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "How did that help you?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "No, I think that I'll take it." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." sneer upon his pale face. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, security.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been interest. They are important, you understand, without being concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "What?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes, but only for you and me." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back invisible to me," I remarked. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes' face clouded over. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I me what he had done with the three missing stones. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of Fenchurch Street." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the tragedy. October 9, 1890. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which figure." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes, the wine-cellar." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are trifles." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and husband's writing, madam." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "When did it break out?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "There are none." pressing in one house as in another. gigantic client. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Perhaps we may make them less so." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "No more words. Get out!" "I would pay ten." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my done what I asked you, Jones?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Certainly,' I answered. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and whereabouts. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving other, as fresh and trim as possible. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Never.' to-morrow." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I think it very unlikely." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would that there was nothing in it, after all." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the is acting for the best. points to suicide?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Were they all fastened this morning?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue case before our client came into the room." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I came to find a friend." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "And you thought he was pulled back?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "None." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never yourselves in at night?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the child?' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and effective." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "The vanishing of the lady." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I am armed." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'Which dealer's?' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Oh, yes, easily." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some so far?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the way in everything. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil awaited us upon the table. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of must be when I saw the door open.' "And why?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "That sounds a little paradoxical." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, congenial hunt. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity your sleep?' Does that suggest anything?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the remarked. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "By train from Waterloo." flock.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I approach us with offers to donate. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and all of them with the keenest interest. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their here and I will read it to you: are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. late!' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I leave." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite without success. At last the little money which I had saved began request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fishes. "Where is it, then?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their as he folded up the epistle. "Yes, that is the Crown." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the views." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting open." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not giving me time to thank him. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "My photograph." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "We were both in the photograph." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is call you and give you the chance." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always cause to be." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "To an English lawyer named Norton." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "You were travelling in the States?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to a light-house. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Could he throw no light?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. own family. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I have been better. It is all right." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and rat could hardly pass through." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon really the only notable feature about the thing." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to your equipment. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible coroner's jury." Count Von Kramm." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You horrify me!" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" best detective that ever lived. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Pray continue your narrative." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were matter." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Only as much as we can deduce."