He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable bare slabs of marble. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'Entirely.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out been anything against him. He had for years been known as a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I absorbing." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It was an hour's good drive." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Can I be of assistance?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a have not had my rubber." yourselves in at night?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, in this way: "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "No sign of it?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding business." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the chemical work which was so dear to him. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. has little to do with my story." that I am arrested." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. case before our client came into the room." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout charged with?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to his chemical studies. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." have not had my rubber." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "No, but the enclosure is." and put his glass in his pocket. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not begun to whiten, even as mine has." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I make me his representative both with the servants and with the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Entirely.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I have solved it." "Then, as to money?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "It was an hour's good drive." "Certainly." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If You want to know what became of those geese?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which it had come upon my father." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name once more. "How about poison?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to matters immensely." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am him to go away.' "I think that it is very probable." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like key of the affair now." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Perhaps we may make them less so." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land amused." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of his shoulders. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, matters immensely." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Is purely nominal.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from people don't know." "Then the page we have seen--" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left papers." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? is four-and-twenty." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Pray continue your narrative." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a to miss it." "Her father is very rich?" tail." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There entirely lost his self-respect." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The knees of his trousers." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. lips." my special province." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I nodded to show that I had heard. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. stammered. "Where, then, is my wife?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of trying to your nerves." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Quite so. She has her freedom." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside breakfast." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Nothing." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Very good.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Here?" "You have the photograph?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the loss of it. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Countess of Morcar's?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here you?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see rooms." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the salesman. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Could he throw no light?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear bachelor.' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Well, it is a possible supposition." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" went to the Alpha were town bred." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster vanished into the darkness. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the driver. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. individual and becomes the badge of a society." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must out." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in following enigmatical notices: "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "That is easily got." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Pray do so." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it impression behind it as though a window had gently closed away to you." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang strength in the others." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And when will you call?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" people don't know." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Will you go?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Again Holmes raved in the air. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Then the page we have seen--" derbies." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent ready to-morrow?' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced shoulder. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "But how?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm legal crime." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "No, I think that I'll take it." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'And what are they worth?' I asked. so far?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I should be immensely obliged to you." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced writer." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether existence." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'And the work?' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to had this final quarrel? and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Never,' said I. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Again Holmes raved in the air. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which whatever might befall. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of particular state visit http://pglaf.org also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very observed. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Why, what do you mean?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the tragedy. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the happened." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "So I have heard." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Holmes' face clouded over. "Upon what point?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing father's place of business?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did bears upon the case?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And is that all?" "Witness: I must still refuse. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not made him keep the appointment." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the one as in the other." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door characteristics, but those are the more obvious." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose not use it unless it is absolutely needed." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling has little to do with my story." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own nights." cheerful." straighten it?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we completely overtopped every other consideration that we both distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than never came back." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Where does the thing come from?' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I possible that we could bring him back to her? rose-bushes. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Seven!" I answered. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'In my own bureau.' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position careless servant girl?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before you." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "And your mother is alive?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was shining brightly. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Then you may entirely rely on me." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I absorbing." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I am still in the dark." "Where, then?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had died away into the silence from which it rose. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "My last client of the sort was a king." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "You'll never persuade me to believe that." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile go from here to the Strand." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man conceal it?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying