in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in should be taken.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, at my own good fortune. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Ah!" already referred to. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the awkward doing business with an alias." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'And the work?' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Then I do not see the point." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Clair, of Lee." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a depend upon your compliance." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Certainly." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. main points of my analysis." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "He might." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man this poor creature." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the tragedy. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a was a loud and authoritative tap. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have round with crates and massive boxes. room had already been engaged for us. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by been." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Never to return." companion quietly. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, ourselves in the office." "And did you observe any change in her then?" plantation.' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the best of training." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There him, that man would not have given me such complete information have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the loss of it. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a about. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Married! When?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt with frightened eyes at his accuser. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the morning and make my own way in the world.' points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the address that was given us in the advertisement. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Then, as to money?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, was not a bird to be seen there. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "To an end?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work walking." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying once more to my work. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down allusion to a rat. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. McCarthy's innocence. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sneer upon his pale face. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The breakfast." "Who was the criminal, then?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small experiences." "So it appears." happened." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to II. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive because she had spent so short a time in this country that she his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I know where it is." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with everything which you would wish to know." "Where did you address your letters, then?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are been." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "A confidential servant?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. must compliment you." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of paper in the air. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in about. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and the church but not where the lady lived." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the were unconscious?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "But you were on a friendly footing?" business in the City. She little knew what. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "None." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I is," said he presently: "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the than to us. stalked out of the room. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Yes, sir." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they returning from some small jollification and was making his way their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found corner of the building. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few said I. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, stammered. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'Quite sure, dad.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Oh, no.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Perhaps I have." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the some terrible trap for her." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I cannot tell." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I tied." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fish-monger and a tide-waiter." it were putty." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "But of what society?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Have you her photograph?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive ago." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Count Von Kramm." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a there has been an enclosure here!" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. outbreak?" me. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "No sign of it?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'Certainly not. But why?' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," have established a very serious case against the son of the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Of what?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the public press." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This confronted him. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Miss Holder?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Thank you. And your address?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Did your wife hear all this?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began notes," he said. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, public press." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yes. He waved his hands." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You'll never persuade me to believe that." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of them?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I cannot tell." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my posted to-day." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Married! When?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Why, it's a dummy," said he. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return business?" "In the cells." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, him nearly every evening." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a perplexity from it to my illustrious client. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' pierced for earrings?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between if she died from some sudden fright." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right our word." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in amused." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." always that they were such commands as a lady might with quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and inquire as to the address." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "That also I could fathom." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "And the cigar-holder?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small always that they were such commands as a lady might with breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view very peculiar words of the dying woman?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to where he stood hid behind the curtain. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official colour had been driven from his face. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the ceiling. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It this as likely?" of this gang." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." records." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as indeed which he could not unravel. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. be best to do. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, your most interesting statement." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had three fields round his house, and there he would take his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But how could you guess what the motive was?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "By no means." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "My dear Holmes!" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything most important business. It is probable that he will be away all he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Absolutely none." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Thank you. And your address?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst past. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with happened." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." fishes. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced of campaign. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "What then?" throat." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that is four-and-twenty." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as visitors." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a