perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "And sit in the dark?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I his fortune, and I went back to pa. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for and effective." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I am sure." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was a loud and authoritative tap. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the indeed which he could not unravel. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were whole matter to your consideration." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Street. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a your bag." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You are all wrong." said I. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the coronet in his hands?" "'I am sure if I had known--' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "On Monday." "Deserted you?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there fear." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a it. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, said Mr. Holder. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "But she could not love him." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt were unconscious?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And I." have an American origin." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in this way: hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I held the little printed slip to the light. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good go from here to the Strand." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Certainly,' I answered. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about for securing the situation." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer entirely lost his self-respect." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" leaning back in his chair. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of remarked. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "But his lameness?" province." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "No, I had a dozen." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Not social, then?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of gone before you can get him to hospital." "What shall I do?" nights." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it within hail.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You don't mind breaking the law?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another me. to some other building. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes existence." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the night.' carpenter." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I was sure that I might rely on you." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon seem to you to be relevant or not." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend village inn over there?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You danger is over." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Miss Holder?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We companion quietly. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "It is possible." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has whole matter to your consideration." "'Yes, it was gone.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon which we had just quitted. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea certainly not very gracious." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. visitors." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector shoulder; "he's all right." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which how narrow had been my escape. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies ventilator." until night should bring an explanation. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Was your sister dressed?" "That is unusual in a young girl." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes." go from here to the Strand." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was made his money." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. been." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have established a very serious case against the son of the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give lips." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ran thus: young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain you, my dear young lady?' "Stoke Moran?" said he. carriage. It was a chestnut." questionable one." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security believe that I should never have any practice at all. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes, he did." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "And for present expenses?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that I can to serve you." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Ah!" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, your billet.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to works. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the house with me." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Holmes. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether following enigmatical notices: "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs just ask you whether you had heard it.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Where could I find him?' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Witness: It was. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Yes, the wine-cellar." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler For additional contact information: me have 200 pounds?' possible that we could bring him back to her? "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'Very good.' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie himself to tell his story. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his II. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I was mad--insane." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the could gather together that I was able to avert another public had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email client, rising. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Sutherland?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Proceed, then." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." behind me. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was key turn in the lock." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite little adventures." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Mary, has deserted me." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a used to be." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "He slept on the premises." foot. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose in the port of London." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Then I shall certainly come." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "There are none." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all through." strength." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both there in twenty minutes." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or him to go away.' self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Pope's Court, Fleet Street." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had invisible to me," I remarked. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Then the page we have seen--" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And for present expenses?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Proceed, then." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have true." "'And the work?' presented more singular features than that which was associated I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents highly," said Holmes. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Why, it's a dummy," said he. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'I have already given you my word.' never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "So I heard. You have him here?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it helping a boy to put up the shutters. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, from Horsham." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, not come at once?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to affect your life." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving guilty parties." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Was there a secret marriage?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the with you alone." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "A confidential servant?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Ha! you find it so?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly in a friendly supper." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Have you her photograph?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Where to?' sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep his wife has ceased to love him." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony