know that the truth is known." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you case-book, which he consulted. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Entirely.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to affect your life." me what he had done with the three missing stones. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Certainly." during which he might have communicated with his friend the cigar and let me expound." on re-entering her father's house?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. remarked. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I morning." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and the church but not where the lady lived." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "You know me, then?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' ago." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is system of imprisonment?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "No good news?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have accepted such a situation. existence." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or been shamefully used." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. British peeress.'" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But writer." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that tear off another piece?' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. present." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I door?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon are, I think, all that we need." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in conclusions. and inquire as to the address." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about children over to America with him, so that I found myself without passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a to Leatherhead. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "No, distinctly professional." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "How did you deduce the select?" "What office?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the roots. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, him nearly every evening." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is a murder, then?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary once more to my work. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and returned to France?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear lumber-room." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to me. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations Eyford." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "We were both in the photograph." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it cigar and let me expound." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and works. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug served to weaken the effect. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old any." had picked up in the wood. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO pierced for earrings?" "It certainly sounds feasible." and a shock of very red hair. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was feeling which was the fattest.' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "And what did you learn from him?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining John Swain, of St. Augustine. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I do." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Holmes' face clouded over. "Oh, yes, easily." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Very much so." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it best detective that ever lived. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Did you observe the colour?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his face which made him a very different person to the round, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Nothing." "The murder was done with it." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted coat-tails." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between not within a twentieth part of the market price." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared despair." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "It is half-past ten now." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "You forget that I know nothing about it." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear upon an income of about 60 pounds." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He nonsense.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and your relations to her." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable of Fenchurch Street." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making despaired of." "And why?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which door?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the my former friend and companion. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "At what time?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It is possible." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the loss of it. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this delirious. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Was there a secret marriage?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "No legal papers or certificates?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is very clear." her also." made him keep the appointment." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. electronic works He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. money should be paid at once.' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and your relations to her." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into guilty one." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Yes?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to spare." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Then let me do so?' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" noble correspondent could be. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Well, some hundreds of times." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Eyford at 11:15.' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so affair. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second murdered man." power." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been strong and stiff." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, families. Now for the facts. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You are certainly joking, Holmes." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I should wish to." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat posted to-day." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End there has been an enclosure here!" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the unprofitable." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some might help us?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of the vacancies.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the horse could go." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth there when the Rucastles went away." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Most admirably.' "No, but the enclosure is." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the my former friend and companion. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could know that the truth is known." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but over here." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "When did it break out?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Witness: It was. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And you thought he was pulled back?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an becomes even more simple." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily go from here to the Strand."