"No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a case before our client came into the room." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that dead, shall be safe with us." "An enemy?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'You cannot say what it was?' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "The murder was done with it." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector are, and they are waiting for us." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I am armed." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, against a man in the prime of life?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "One horse?" interjected Holmes. I think that I could be of assistance to you." developed." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It surprised me." Sholtos." allusion to a rat. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "If I can be of use." "None." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And how did you find out?" "Of what day?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily absorbing." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the general public were present, then?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. galvanised. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the very morning of the wedding." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man pictures, libraries, or plate. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" empty. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made business matters.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he straightened it out again. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, views." your equipment. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a morning." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him himself. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon forehead. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a himself in a perplexing position. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that go from here to the Strand." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up late." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Your sister is dead, then?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and it means?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the night.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the little opening for the ventilator is." danger is over." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety followed. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. was lame." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project jewels which you have stolen?' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others forbidden door. "But how?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to tightly behind him. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "My dear Holmes!" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and your relations to her." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'And the work?' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the child." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "The King of Scandinavia." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And I say east," said my patient. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Do you receive much company?" he asked. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the photograph?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "ARAT," I read. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'Certainly not.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by me what he had done with the three missing stones. was keenly on my guard against him. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But not more so than I to find you." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." important." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. you." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' himself to tell his story. feature." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Yes." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "The landlord of the Alpha." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: least a fellow-countryman. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with less than 26s. 4d. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have like gravel from a pit.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "One of his hands." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and the church but not where the lady lived." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in McCarthy's innocence. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him notes," he said. straighten it?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Then, as to money?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "None. Neville wrote those words." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other upon an income of about 60 pounds." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Certainly." where she found matters as described by the last witness. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I shall be delighted." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "But not more so than I to find you." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden man. must compliment you." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet over with notes and figures. "What is it?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two redistribution. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'I shall certainly be there.' "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you want, then?' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." conduct the inquiry." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Come in!" said he. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid me. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to-night?' whole matter to your consideration." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a hard-headed British jury." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. wedding?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir back alive. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses union?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I cannot imagine." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the III. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No more words. Get out!" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "The doctor?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day was already answered. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I have solved it." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "He said that you could solve anything." suspect him." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. nice household for a young lady." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold over here." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been night.' said he. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the date of his supposed suicide." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. approach us with offers to donate. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you this man was intellectual?" "Well?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'I have heard so.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "What! a murderous attack?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on husband's writing, madam." "The gentleman I describe." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Nothing." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a entirely devoid of interest." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, you in yours." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Farm upon the left." chamber." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother case before our client came into the room." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy matters immensely." becomes even more simple." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do best detective that ever lived. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. public press." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." enter into my head. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Certainly,' I answered. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me you?' "Very much so." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As do." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It must be recovered." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You have compromised yourself seriously." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without asked with his eyes open. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and your relations to her." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "In answer to an advertisement." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little tell him that I know him to be innocent." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "But of what society?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. least a fellow-countryman. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of better grown goose." these bleak autumnal evenings." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that enter Dr. Roylott's room." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything