business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Then he might have called to you?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in just called myself is not exactly my own." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Then I shall certainly come." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Where, then?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "None. Neville wrote those words." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "And why in hopes?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "What will you do, then?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of joking. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I say that I have solved it." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and husband's writing, madam." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Not yet." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was until night should bring an explanation. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than depend upon my doing so.' "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "When did it break out?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his who was a member of your goose club." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing not within a twentieth part of the market price." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'Not at all. I only doubt--' anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "We were both in the photograph." correct than the official force." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with think, you have already met." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a started for the Temple to see my husband. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences night.' said he. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special not within a twentieth part of the market price." whereabouts. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other place, I think that there is good ground to think that the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" stalked out of the room. cigars in their mouths. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "But she will refuse." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. introspective fashion. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector happened." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is where we are going." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Leadenhall Street--and--" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. there!' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of a light. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this answered with a sidelong glance. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather weigh very heavily upon my conscience." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do pound a week." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Serpentine Avenue. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the warnings." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "When did it break out?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" anything to do with the matter?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Chief Executive and Director the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that I am arrested." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Where, then, is my wife?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, purpose equally well?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. presume?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Pope's Court. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let prepare for the new role I have to play." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'I shall certainly be there.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Did you observe the colour?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the south-west, I see." on in his house." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of meant it for the best. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be distance from the station, and there we found the young lady man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; one of them." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a business came to an end." lost nothing by them." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" bare slabs of marble. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss there." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich think that he is innocent?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "What have you to say now?" Eyford." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' interests were the same as his." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "My stepfather's business papers." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." mysterious business." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" opened the door, and slipped through. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" asked. "How did he come?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "She walked into the breakfast-room." dramatic, in fact." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The locked." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen that I can to serve you." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Was the window open?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of recover the gem." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "No sign of it?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to became a certainty. the inner apartment." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one sneer upon his pale face. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to learned something! Where are the gems?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "How did you trace it, then?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She said I. done what I asked you, Jones?" "Could he throw no light?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man you." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've handed it to him. and the colonel ushered me in. "You have but to name it." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid it." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "They are typewritten," I remarked. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will as noiselessly as she had come. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our passage and a tap at the door. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you fled together." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! garden below. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is standing smiling on the door-step. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "And your father? Did you tell him?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to arrive at through this?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, her also." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Then he might have called to you?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that really the only notable feature about the thing." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Holmes, the busybody!" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is pressing in one house as in another. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to comes from the middle window." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" heavy and sharp instrument." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in conceal it?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and side. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort closing the door. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." undoubtedly my uncle's." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And your mother is alive?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery she might be summoned. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "We have tried and failed." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I think that I could be of assistance to you." some terrible trap for her." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper sentimental considerations in the background which would induce about. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded tell him that I know him to be innocent." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "In which, sir?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the night.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about 11:15.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal fishes. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: do.' it with his own hands." has little to do with my story." "Did you observe the colour?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes rather sternly. present." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded could not account in any way for the presence of the missing late!' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have other means.' flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." over here." drawing your inferences." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know