should be taken.' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very crowd. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client spark where all is dark to me." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." which are rolled in Rotterdam." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the on re-entering her father's house?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it dates and names. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "No, distinctly professional." gigantic client. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "And for present expenses?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it if only as a check to my own memory." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the you understand?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "No, I am descending." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the child." into the room. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and that you wished to speak to me?' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Eh? What was that?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. better grown goose." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Street. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Certainly not.' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "That is also quite modern," said the lady. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and with frightened eyes at his accuser. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I will not look." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert cigars in their mouths. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in his power. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old third from London." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and signal between you and your father? something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to crowd. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business him and tried to hold him back. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You think that any burglar could have done. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, than was visible to me." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was was used.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" key of the affair now." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "You horrify me." "Married! When?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "No, finished." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in upon the shelf for the interim." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged villagers almost as much as their master. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You forget that I know nothing about it." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I cannot say that I have." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in of note-paper. It read in this fashion: tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, to have that photograph." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." his huge brown hands. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "But of what society?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am lips." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional into the bag, and made for the door. "What!" he roared. IS settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your lectures into a series of tales." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "That is not always so easy." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was nice household for a young lady." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." habit of advancing money.' without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we do.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than for the market.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "And you thought he was pulled back?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She whole matter to your consideration." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman followed. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, get her out of the way." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I held the little printed slip to the light. trying to your nerves." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one events than those which have happened in my own family." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Not him." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I will do it." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "He said that you could solve anything." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I am following you closely," I answered. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a letters?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Then I do not see the point." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which will not take me long to tell. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A copied or distributed: chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us place, I think that there is good ground to think that the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "The gentleman I describe." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to introspective fashion. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a wife's character?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "What shall I do?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in are, I think, all that we need." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Then I can wait in the next room." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son chill to my heart. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "He said that you could solve anything." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." me where it went to?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches forecastle of an emigrant ship. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little it right.' "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove in his power. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake province." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his but preventing her from injuring another. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I affair. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for other, as fresh and trim as possible. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I say that I have solved it." "'Oh, no.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "What do you make of that, Watson?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under kind enough to tell me what I should do." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. infinite languor in his face. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing weapon." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I that threaten you." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fluttered off among the others. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "The gentleman I describe." was not a bird to be seen there. occurred." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. him nearly every evening." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, the inquest, and which are worth considering." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I fear not." His name is Francis Prosper." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up call the police, let the police find what they can.' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "My dear Holmes!" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not without success. At last the little money which I had saved began yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black business at Coburg Square is serious." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you said he. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for asked. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your stood on the top of it. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it question," said Holmes, smiling. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Murdered?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the bonnet, and went out." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before laugh and put his lips to my ear. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the keep the flames under. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers,