the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Stoke Moran?" said he. in. suspect him." have an American origin." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, less than 26s. 4d. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Lee, in the county of Kent." there when the Rucastles went away." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his careless servant girl?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless you came in." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "ARAT," I read. had picked up in the wood. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or once more to my work. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "So it appears." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond nothing of it?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to-night?" I asked. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small politicians who had been sent down from the North. McCarthy's innocence. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with next day. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the salesman. from you?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was maiden herself was most instructive." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project him to go away.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was feeling which was the fattest.' "How are you getting on?" your bag." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary outside." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and all of them with the keenest interest. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear next day. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to note?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Deserted you?" "Perhaps I have." you understand?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Where, indeed?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project will he say when he returns?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had fuss that is made over them." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your hardly wander." redistribution. maid will bring up your coffee." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Do you go out much in society?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the salesman. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy said he. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a invisible to me," I remarked. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its face and glided from the room. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. crime." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left over here." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, south, for the country is more deserted there." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "One?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known unprofitable." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your she might be summoned. if I call to-morrow?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "He said too much." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of examine." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. purpose of examination. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Certainly, madam." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story matters immensely." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." client, rising. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no locked. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "No, but the enclosure is." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no leave you to your papers for a little." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And the cigar-holder?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is half-past ten now." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Did your wife hear all this?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "So I am. Very much so." the side-table." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No, distinctly professional." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to wedding?" "Yes, all." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." woman." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "'What, the red-headed man?' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the His name is Francis Prosper." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "A call for help, you thought?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Murdered?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight article?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "They are typewritten," I remarked. the one as in the other." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, business." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she read it out to me." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there bird of prey. the child." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "One of the highest in England." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Where, then, is my wife?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Certainly." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" there is a decided draught." Munro.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold held up the lantern and gazed about him. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Frequently." letters?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior distance from the station, and there we found the young lady I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might shoulder. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Entirely.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, desk. populous neighbourhood." out." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but taking in every detail of the apartment. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key our word." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted must compliment you." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, already referred to. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some him to go away.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the stable lane now." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Not social, then?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. disturbance in my wife." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the introspective fashion. "In San Francisco, a year ago." I leave." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to way: where we are going." disturbance in my wife." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. desk. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I never have." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "The rest you will leave in our hands." discontent upon his features. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly father's place of business?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Yes." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I occupations.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing client, rising. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Ample.' within hail.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Then, how do you know?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came think that any burglar could have done. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I should like to see him very much." nothing with him." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Holmes. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I have hopes." "Where did you address your letters, then?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs system of imprisonment?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment future lives." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for as noiselessly as she had come. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Well." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "But your client--" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a meanly of me." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "My last client of the sort was a king." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fact, we may call it conclusive." observed. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood