what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a arrested. You then--" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the chemical work which was so dear to him. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "My dear Holmes!" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. you came in." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "But we can't all be." had formerly been in part my own. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, most interesting one." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into way: experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by had died away into the silence from which it rose. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and me where it went to?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Very murderous indeed." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the yet." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Nothing." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An arms and began to sob in a high treble key. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Yes." enough to aid us in our search." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "She walked into the breakfast-room." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I do." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Serpentine Avenue. "You were travelling in the States?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, business at Coburg Square is serious." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An at home. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his never to learn it at all." "I cannot imagine." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found heavy and sharp instrument." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Pray do so." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears you in yours." whatever might befall. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' words came to my lips. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. outside." "But it has twice been burgled." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Yes, it was gone.' "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I careless servant girl?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of roused himself from his reverie. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side for securing the situation." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "What, then, did Peterson do?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless had this final quarrel? completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the are, and they are waiting for us." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative enter into my head. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots developed." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make guilty parties." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Mrs. Toller serenely. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a window when the police appeared." experiences." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the "It is very kind of you." felt?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Just look it up, then." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been know all about it," he snarled. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man criminal. We have already had experience of such." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I cannot say that I have." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You are hungry," I remarked. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I chance at all." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, we went to search for him, face downward in a little she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "And is that all?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly seem to you to be relevant or not." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. main points of my analysis." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "I do." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Holmes rather sternly. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark house for five minutes.' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Which dealer's?' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with or other trace. But how on earth--" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your that he has suffered." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "What steps will you take?" I asked. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or spark where all is dark to me." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." emerged. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "And how in the world did you find them?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "On the contrary, this is the right side." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. prisoner's face. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in obstinate." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or points in connection with it which never have been, and probably exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and has little to do with my story." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for a room. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your details." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hurried by. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation prepare for the new role I have to play." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was case before our client came into the room." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in such person." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he have I gained?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he to a light-house. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "How do you know, then?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just flock.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know will he say when he returns?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "That was it, sir." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On official police." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Certainly." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our strength in the others." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'What then?' I asked. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Then I can wait in the next room." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and have this put in the evening papers." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the tragedy. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and files of the old papers, following the future career of every In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's her also." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "How about poison?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small call you and give you the chance." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "None." ourselves in the office." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You will not go there first?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" experiences." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into fluttered off among the others. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in some water from a caraffe. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation who was a member of your goose club." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand most interesting one." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able society." really the only notable feature about the thing." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers guilty parties." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give newspaper selections." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I should be immensely obliged to you." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "He slept on the premises." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from some city in a dream. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What of the rat, then?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely used to be." once more for Briony Lodge. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I know where it is." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." public press." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece signal between you and your father? endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But