before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. posted to-day." late!' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would at my remark. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "What then?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out think, you have already met." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the woman." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite arrested. You then--" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think union?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Pope's Court. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they it. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does unclasping of his long thin hands. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "My private note-paper." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Never to return." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. II. "And it is--" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the lumber-room." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that?' never will be, entirely cleared up. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Leadenhall Street--and--" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from III. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was there!' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "And is that all?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. third from London." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Who was the criminal, then?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and I shall be with you presently." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door beyond words. "He slept on the premises." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Stoke Moran?" said he. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What then?" "Was your sister dressed?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may ran thus: assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle populous neighbourhood." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no over here." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Project Gutenberg-tm works. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the night.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the dangers which encompass me." indeed which he could not unravel. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A had no one to advise her at such a crisis." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Nearly eleven." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "But she will refuse." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and cigars in the box." indeed happy." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and it need not interfere very much with one's other conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that his huge brown hands. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. was a perfect sample of the class. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and no precautions can guard against." "Yes." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Certainly." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "To the police?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set fasten all the windows?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pound a week." hour?' II. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. States. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds to tackle the facts." that I am arrested." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And how have you succeeded?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "What, then?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And your father? Did you tell him?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "That is it on the dressing-table." open." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried from you?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No. What a strange idea!" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." undoubtedly my uncle's." reach." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "My stepfather's business papers." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me is entirely a question of barometric pressure." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of outsides of the windows. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my bachelor.' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two bare slabs of marble. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and said he. of the way of danger. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the assist you in forming an opinion." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Will you go?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Dirty?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with extraordinary contortions. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and vault. "He said too much." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose only touch the interest." "He said that you could solve anything." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, thin legs towards the fire. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." my former friend and companion. companion. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but direction." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to disappearance of the bride.'" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "And your mother is alive?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "To ruin me." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I was mad--insane." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'You cannot say what it was?' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'I am sure that I do not know.' Street. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, posted to-day." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her definite end. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew this poor creature." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in bed dies. Does not that strike you?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary come either from the window or the door. My attention was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me ran thus: most interesting one." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "What do you mean?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. main points of my analysis." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of this gang." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. unclasping of his long thin hands. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Yes." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what think you a quite exceptional woman." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge money should be paid at once.' Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his down. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently locked. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I cannot tell." status with the IRS. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming during the last few years, and there are many noble families to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and foresight and the moral retrogression?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that populous neighbourhood." the bottom.' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a unclasping of his long thin hands. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the father's young wife. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Well?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I see no marks." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you." a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there as this. Pray let me have the details." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no will not take me long to tell. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any McCarthy's innocence. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "My own seal." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "But I am all in the dark." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man which it had come upon my father." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door as this. Pray let me have the details." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. ventilator." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Oh, no.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "It is half-past ten now." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all constraint." "'Entirely.'