cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "But your client--" new acquaintance to Baker Street. happened." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, ourselves in the office." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding most important business. It is probable that he will be away all room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long three fields round his house, and there he would take his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I people in all walks of life. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to upon an income of about 60 pounds." were wasted." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "If so, much may have happened between." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in knowledge of the world." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent mysterious end." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It always that they were such commands as a lady might with elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. gives a meaning to it." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven reach." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "There is the writing." closing the door. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came burst into a hearty fit of laughter. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it there." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small one of the states of the Union." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all o'clock is it?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. stalked out of the room. "Well." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Dark enough and sinister enough." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one results." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you investigation." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the see me here to avoid scandal." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Henry Baker is a member." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the from the brougham. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dead, shall be safe with us." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "They are typewritten," I remarked. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the tell them apart.' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" went to the Alpha were town bred." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "At half-wages, in fact." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the could go. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet invisible to me," I remarked. Street. "By no means." good for you to do.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and no precautions can guard against." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. she to prove their authenticity?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hour." points to suicide?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." late." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "What of the rat, then?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons to Leatherhead. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Where did you address your letters, then?" October 9, 1890. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the morning and make my own way in the world.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. to-night?" I asked. thin legs towards the fire. heavily into it. "Where, then, is my wife?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "What do you mean?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, paper in the air. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found lamp in his hand. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'There is a drive, then?' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah here." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Can I be of assistance?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant his huge brown hands. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" should be taken.' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And you can do nothing until then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." that you saw all that I did." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Miss Holder?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Cross for the Continent." "Quite so." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It must be recovered." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' DAMAGE. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual too. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! behind me. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "You think that he is dead?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to young Openshaw's." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four where we are going." "He is still with you, I presume?" been with you?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the of your young ladies.' "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted dear old homesteads?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough tension within him. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the nursery. of." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. fluttered off among the others. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It's nothing of the kind." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I should be immensely obliged to you." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "And on what day did he meet his death?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Why, it's a dummy," said he. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little obstinate." him to go away.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up indeed happy." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious indiscretion." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had lost nothing by them." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Who was the criminal, then?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Look there!" said he. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I say it is." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It is possible." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I have my revolver," said I. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a to Leatherhead. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official place no limit on the sum I may draw." again before evening." enough to aid us in our search." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside be. shoulder; "he's all right." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Eyford." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he questioning and rather startled gaze. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate or in danger--" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the matter?" this remarkable episode. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered here and I will read it to you: "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And how?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew mystery!" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "There is the writing." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to may never be exposed to such a temptation." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sofa. This way, please!" of Fenchurch Street." did not hear it also.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Pray continue your narrative." Foundation "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of ordinary clothes on?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Stoke Moran." that he will be back before evening." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where served to weaken the effect. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my tapping his fingers upon the table. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that intrusion of other matters." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now out of this horrible affair." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'I am sure if I had known--' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You will not go there first?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of this gang." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Yes." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining without a word or a look. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Not yet." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have got?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Where, then?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your your bag." assist you in forming an opinion." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Watson," he said cordially. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were affair. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Then the page we have seen--" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "You know me, then?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into lumber-room." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Upon what point?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Not particularly." shaken than I had ever seen him. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Ten will be early enough." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a enter Dr. Roylott's room." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than quickly through a disagreeable task. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Was she in good spirits?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Then the page we have seen--" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to was shining brightly. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I."