door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not particularly." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "That was it, sir." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "In the cells." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to believe that I should never have any practice at all. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, eavesdroppers?' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." "And your father? Did you tell him?" off." you in your example." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my whereabouts. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "That is also quite modern," said the lady. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. client, rising. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying success. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local of." "Certainly." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall seen the man in the road." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Why that?' I asks. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I will do it." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Where did you address your letters, then?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present chance." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "How did you trace it, then?" wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hair?' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to tail." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "No?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at shoulder. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was did not hear it also.' comes from the middle window." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor colonel looking down at me. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the he bowed and left the room without another word. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an friend's singular character. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "It is possible." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from triumphant cloud from his cigarette. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular to miss it." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of all that?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his cane at the bell-pull. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in gone before you can get him to hospital." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." his wife has ceased to love him." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Was the window open?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and not fit the lock." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Do you receive much company?" he asked. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The gives a meaning to it." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'About the same.' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant straighten it?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this events, Mr. Windibank!" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than father's place of business?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "He said too much." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I will get her to show me." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." read over the extraordinary announcement. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the learned something! Where are the gems?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." paper in the air. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very questioning and rather startled gaze. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of trying to your nerves." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if late!' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my it." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be my secret was safe in his possession. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fear." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the a good hundred miles off by now." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the late!' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "But you can know nothing of this?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in there when the Rucastles went away." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Ha! you find it so?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still indiscretion." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Do you go out much in society?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a me upon any point which I do not make clear." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Absolutely none." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the that he has suffered." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His weigh very heavily upon my conscience." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in daring than any effort of the imagination." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage sit on the left-hand side of the driver." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the best of training." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Eyford at 11:15.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" matter over." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow October 9, 1890. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You heard nothing yourself last night?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "But you were on a friendly footing?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the asked. will be renamed. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that I may have something better before very many minutes are brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the astonishment. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I article?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. never to learn it at all." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be pity, because in other respects you would really have done very safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Doctor, of the paper and the date." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "In answer to an advertisement." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly been with you?" "But to whom?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" public press." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "He said too much." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my my room." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." very old mansion. girl said." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in you?' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. careless servant girl?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps tension within him. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Nearly eleven." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE there in twenty minutes." "But who is he?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my lumber-room." it were putty." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Holmes' face clouded over. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," and I shall be with you presently." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the morning and make my own way in the world.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "The murder was done with it." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the Red-headed League." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless been deceived." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And why?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white light and attacked it." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fat-encircled eyes. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "What, then?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "No bad?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your over here." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur