it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Pray continue your narrative." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The your troubles." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, head. So long, then!" leaning back in his chair. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. question," said Holmes, smiling. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Why serious?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Nothing?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Come in!" said he. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "What then?" upon the shelf for the interim." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, empty. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "She walked into the breakfast-room." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes, the wine-cellar." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." electronic works and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he business at Coburg Square is serious." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Then he might have called to you?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it everything which you would wish to know." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: You want to know what became of those geese?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. present." that he has suffered." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and inquire as to the address." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew because she had spent so short a time in this country that she corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. stood on the top of it. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, been deceived." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce business in the City. She little knew what. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What is it?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in his grey eyes. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, she used." "And help." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ventilator." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting observed. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come what I may call a really hard day's work." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, then?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire bachelor.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could I held the little printed slip to the light. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and this man was intellectual?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One note?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no forebodings. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was used.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "To the police?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed think you a quite exceptional woman." "It is his hat." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said details should find their way into the papers. Inspector have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" like that before?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Stolen, then." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO over part of the map. "What do you read?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is back alive. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "No. What a strange idea!" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker chill to my heart. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to-night?' possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "He is still with you, I presume?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all lumber-room." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "How did you deduce the select?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to that open window." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, you?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never examine." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the salesman. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You know me, then?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept notes," he said. to tackle the facts." http://www.gutenberg.net mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the coroner come to?" signal between you and your father? - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You think so, too?" there!' "Ah!" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a neither fascinating nor artistic." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the enter Dr. Roylott's room." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Your sister is dead, then?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just client, rising. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where quick march!" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I was sure that I might rely on you." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Deserted you?" conclusions. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But what is it you wish?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes, all." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of the vacancies.' "Come in!" said he. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He of note-paper. It read in this fashion: brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call some water from a caraffe. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Certainly not. But why?' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem for the market.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a results." that I can to serve you." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm followed. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Then he might have called to you?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "He said that you could solve anything." had a long day." was it brought him the coronet? "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of peculiar to him. "Absolutely none." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be with the outside air!" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "But he might be a bachelor." rooms." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: overpowering excitement and concern. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in the hope of finding them." indeed happy." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "And what did you see?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "You have a clue?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then maid will bring up your coffee." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." asked with his eyes open. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" words came to my lips. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' I have it here in my museum." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence that you saw all that I did." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an companion quietly. "My stepfather's business papers." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come place of silver." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put it means?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting roused himself from his reverie. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'I have already given you my word.' about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in papers must be those that are destroyed.' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round highly," said Holmes. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was distinguish the words: not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has returning from some small jollification and was making his way Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. individual and becomes the badge of a society." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Mary, has deserted me." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I the window, rose as we entered. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at newspaper selections." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I little trying to do so much typewriting?" there is a decided draught." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, quick march!" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this again, where I was soon asleep. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so seen the man in the road." whole matter to your consideration." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "And the cigar-holder?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" take the flies, but not before." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Do you receive much company?" he asked. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he with you?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of his shoulders. me upon any point which I do not make clear." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Doctor, of the paper and the date." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Stolen, then." situation." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "My dear Holmes!" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, http://www.gutenberg.net "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'How far from the body?' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior test if we have an answer to our advertisement." woven round him. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not matter." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Stoke Moran?" said he. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of Mr. Rucastle's." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw dead, shall be safe with us." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. me. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. later, upon the night of May 2nd."