unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "But you can know nothing of this?" Holmes. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and of the vacancies.' unprecedented a position." papers on the sundial.'" "It is very kind of you." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "By all means." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative just ask you whether you had heard it.' creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have been better. It is all right." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, was a perfect sample of the class. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, problems help me to do so." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "She told me to ask you." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Whose house is it?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Doctor, of the paper and the date." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "How on earth--" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "And what then?" meanly of me." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." when your master had gone out." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Very. But will he see it?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We flock.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "If I can be of use." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Holmes, the busybody!" Where does the thing come from?' the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; distance from the station, and there we found the young lady quite distinctive." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "A confidential servant?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds criminal. We have already had experience of such." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those posted to-day." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "A call for help, you thought?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the assist you in forming an opinion." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said of the one which your family is now devouring." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Not particularly." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Yes." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one bare slabs of marble. "What of the rat, then?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a present." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve might help us?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too father's young wife. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. papers diligently of late, have you not?" pound a week." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to a more successful conclusion." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet maid will bring up your coffee." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding death." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I papers diligently of late, have you not?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have I gained?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to placed his cuttings. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Yes, but only for you and me." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower kindly on the shoulder. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, happened." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Of what day?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. security.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You were travelling in the States?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I was sure that I might rely on you." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "No. What a strange idea!" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Which dealer's?' dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises are windows in it, of course?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Never to return." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I have a cab outside." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Foundation long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Dirty?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Your sister is dead, then?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Why serious?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the bottom.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I http://gutenberg.net/license). Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I following enigmatical notices: been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "'Certainly not. But why?' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the warnings." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Arthur Conan Doyle The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter You want to know what became of those geese?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in door?" entirely lost his self-respect." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted ran thus: bird I ate is country bred." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the it." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock companion imperturbably. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the address that was given us in the advertisement. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it pierced for earrings?" the coronet in his hands?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "What, then?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived she might be summoned. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his forehead." envelope. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming discontent upon his features. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' I leave." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I see no marks." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The was used.' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Sutherland. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I cannot imagine." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social them present such singular features as the strange train of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Very. But will he see it?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. papers diligently of late, have you not?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "But your client--" interest. They are important, you understand, without being copied or distributed: travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "No." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His man. I know him from the photograph." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "And on what day did he meet his death?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing until night should bring an explanation. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots outside." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still not personally threatened." "Did you observe the colour?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set salesman. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Oh, no.' "I was mad--insane." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "How are you getting on?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Well." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not with you?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity brain must have something in it." certainly not very gracious." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Why, what do you mean?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, only one." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I beg pardon." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in outbreak?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said beg that you will break it off." to affect your life." "Dark enough and sinister enough." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I cannot think." "I do." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the signal between you and your father? "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Dr. Becher's." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you it." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found this unhappy family?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof introspective fashion. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" signal between you and your father? one which it was hard to resist. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I have seen the police." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Your presence might be invaluable." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "My dear Holmes!" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to bird of prey. "And I to find an enemy." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know