"Then, as to money?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man heavy and sharp instrument." carried out of court." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" this Miss Turner." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just followed. get the tickets." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Never,' said I. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and flock.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'And what are they worth?' I asked. rooms." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no nonsense.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle astonishment. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I never have." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it gone. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "But how?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our four million human beings all jostling each other within the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to The events in question occurred in the early days of my had formerly been in part my own. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss fattened it expressly for you.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes shoulder. touch that coronet?' "How about poison?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "If I can be of use." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few remarked. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He that you wished to speak to me?' "'About the same.' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of me where it went to?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Then I can wait in the next room." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll there was no need for father to know." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his colonel looking down at me. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the driver. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "It is possible." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left certainly not very gracious." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there of note-paper. It read in this fashion: my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at possible that we could bring him back to her? was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old again before evening." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "A greater distance to travel." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the secret." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and instincts rose up against that laugh. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for suddenly upon us." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the my little problems." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And there when the Rucastles went away." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken least a most suspicious remark." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, meant." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to a light-house. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for which it had come upon my father." the inquest, and which are worth considering." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young not use it unless it is absolutely needed." letters?" were unconscious?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her promised to bring home. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much washing it down with a long draught of water. have had none more fantastic than this." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two outside. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his unprecedented a position." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as away in different directions, and I went off to make my own corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and both be extremely obliged.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was once confined in the cab my mission was practically telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his instincts rose up against that laugh. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I am still in the dark." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Witness: It was. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps even so self-evident a thing as that." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental frequently gained my first real insight into the character of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" rose-bushes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You are all wrong." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to coroner's jury." "Dark enough and sinister enough." hour." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, hour." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Come in!" said he. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And is that all?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of status with the IRS. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "But how?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been my room." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square congenial hunt. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Entirely." the coronet in his hand?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son You want to know what became of those geese?" "It is a murder, then?" that, and I came down." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving residence of the great financier. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "And how in the world did you find them?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And what did you see?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two narrative." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? highroad, where all traces were lost. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination charged with?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both wedding?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you you." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "To ruin me." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, if she died from some sudden fright." carpenter." "It came here." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of noise which awoke you from your sleep?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Yes, I promise.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "By no means." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "What is it, then--a fire?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence brandy and water within his reach. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything might have a private word with us. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was keenly on my guard against him. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of tightly behind him. crowd. salesman. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the one which it was hard to resist. at my own good fortune. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Lee, in the county of Kent." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his copied or distributed: in him." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Certainly." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I am still in the dark." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but to tell." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with call it cruel." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in disturbance in my wife." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." this poor creature." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which was all perfectly true. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily wedding?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "What have you to say now?" would apply.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There there." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Doctor, of the paper and the date." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' to-night?' "From his hat?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Have you her photograph?" "If I can be of use." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice writer." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Perhaps we may make them less so." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would cost them two and thirty pounds." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down,