was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. works. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and down. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But she will refuse." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Was your sister dressed?" your co-operation." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be over with notes and figures. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "And who is her maid?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Ten to two.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the coronet in his hands?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "But his lameness?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Pope's Court. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. my little problems." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the driver. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Yes." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship goes." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be key of the affair now." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has burst out into a roar of laughter. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I have hopes." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And I say east," said my patient. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been legal crime." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" think that any burglar could have done. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." him nearly every evening." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was been able to understand it, in a very few words. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His writing, and yet I know it well." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my I was concerned in it." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Yes." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice think you a quite exceptional woman." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate prisoner's face. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the as this. Pray let me have the details." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Lee, in the county of Kent." October 9, 1890. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, answered with a sidelong glance. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And you can do nothing until then?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned man. laugh and put his lips to my ear. washing it down with a long draught of water. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Yes, sir.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "And how did you find out?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits tell them apart.' little trying to do so much typewriting?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw do you make of it all?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and all of them with the keenest interest. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having perplexity from it to my illustrious client. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Doctor, of the paper and the date." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was a loud and authoritative tap. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the matters immensely." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "When did she vanish, then?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted purpose of examination. window when the police appeared." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I with the outside air!" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. again, where I was soon asleep. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never character. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "How many? I don't know." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon lost his Christmas dinner." "Why serious?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." chambers. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I beg pardon." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out correct than the official force." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the south-west, I see." have an American origin." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's that he will be back before evening." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "My stepfather's business papers." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know it were putty." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are advice." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with details should find their way into the papers. Inspector yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my desk. "But I have heard all that you have heard." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are shall use the carriage to-night." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of note-paper. It read in this fashion: crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Yes, it was twisted." tell me that you intended to go into harness." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom unprofitable." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' think that any burglar could have done. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in one's self under obligations.' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his out of this horrible affair." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional humiliation." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that you can jump it.' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. fait accompli?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That in darkness. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Sholtos." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Is purely nominal.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to his chemical studies. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is chill to my heart. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does memory. weapon." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was feeling which was the fattest.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook is worth.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" strength of mind to control. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "What of the rat, then?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on tightly behind him. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Henry Baker is a member." over with notes and figures. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. been deceived." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began London for the present?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "So I am. Very much so." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The prison!" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Yes." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sake, don't!" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs brandy and water within his reach. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You have carte blanche." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the get the tickets." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and indeed happy." went to the Alpha were town bred." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the there!' the coronet in his hand?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we minor matters until to-morrow." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Edgeware Road. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." peculiar to him. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden peculiar to him. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "It is his hat." fat-encircled eyes. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no there was no need for father to know." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of your young ladies.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used there!' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important brain must have something in it." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "In which, sir?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I one else, I think." once more. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'About the same.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my prepare for the new role I have to play." "Absolutely?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as derbies." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "The doctor?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I think that I could be of assistance to you." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my disappearance of these gems?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE