"Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid morning." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Yes, at the mines." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' things are very often connected not with the larger but with the in the port of London." question. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I am to be neutral?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'And the work?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I have it here in my museum." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, sir." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Thank you. And your address?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." of." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That also I could fathom." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed he died? them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a nights." lost his Christmas dinner." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." out." chance at all." than was visible to me." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. is acting for the best. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "But she will refuse." opened the door, and slipped through. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Very much so." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "At what time?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself nice household for a young lady." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Can I be of assistance?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and it need not interfere very much with one's other gone. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried hard-headed British jury." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Pool. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out call it cruel." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the might help us?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We pressing in one house as in another. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old like that before?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Your presence might be invaluable." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Yes, I promise.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "But to whom?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon outside. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I fear not." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, have had none more fantastic than this." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his This is what he says: and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just think you a quite exceptional woman." the coronet in his hand?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Just look it up, then." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in this way: the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the rose-bushes. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in empty. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "What office?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. of his shoulders. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, kind enough to tell me what I should do." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has several quiet little villages up there." that I can to serve you." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the throat." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "One of the highest in England." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his she used." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into stammered. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her delighted to hear it," he said. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the coroner come to?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding pierced for earrings?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were and looked back. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless how narrow had been my escape. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "What are they?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And Miss Sutherland?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me triumphant cloud from his cigarette. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the best of training." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Then you may be so with me." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "And what did you learn from him?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your me where it went to?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "In heaven's name, what for?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Why did you pick him?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle but preventing her from injuring another. it." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Clair, of Lee." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "The gentleman I describe." redistribution. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "But to whom?" colonel looking down at me. "I have solved it." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor page at http://pglaf.org particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire mysterious end." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the inner apartment." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the matter?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands have been better. It is all right." me upon any point which I do not make clear." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, populous neighbourhood." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "How often?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes, the wine-cellar." pierced for earrings?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Pray let us have it, for all that." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her instituted." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to round and wave him away like that.' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, His smile broadened. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. within hail.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Why serious?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I gone before you can get him to hospital." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done delighted to hear it," he said. undoubtedly my uncle's." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Upon what point?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 to-night?' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been But Holmes shook his head gravely. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "How did you trace it, then?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Then I am your man." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if if she died from some sudden fright." "You are hungry," I remarked. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Of Friday, June 19th." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. of it with the greatest attention. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes posted to-day." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters said he. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in side. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" would then never go into court at all." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in this way: But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that retorted upon me, and I on you." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian tightly behind him. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they better in every way that they should make their position a little and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to on in his house." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since whether it answered to the description of any of their have got?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of formed some opinion?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Whose house is it?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I am about to be married." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a cause to be." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, to Leatherhead. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom there!' do.' the coronet in his hand?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to-morrow." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the