"There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To way: finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Sutherland?" deduce something from that?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps acquaintance?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat what I may call a really hard day's work." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was is now desirous of getting those letters back." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their lost nothing by them." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should putting in the horse. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. my former friend and companion. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to everything which you would wish to know." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get shoulder; "he's all right." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." introspective fashion. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." You want to know what became of those geese?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'And what salary do you ask?' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw one's self under obligations.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, followed. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham furiously. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some golden eyeglasses. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, so far?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled triumphant cloud from his cigarette. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Well." guilty one." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "And it is--" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon mystery!" which we had just quitted. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "But what will you do?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, your room." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt people don't know." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Perhaps we may make them less so." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she mystery." were wasted." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his mystery." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Leave Paddington by the 11:15." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it very morning of my second wedding." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "ARAT," I read. and glanced through. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us purpose equally well?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced his huge brown hands. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen I leave." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a bill, which interests me deeply." to a more successful conclusion." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the business matters.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of papers diligently of late, have you not?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little fact, we may call it conclusive." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend God! What an exposure! What can I do?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "I am about to be married." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. kind enough to tell me what I should do." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the certainly not very gracious." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press prison!" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Ten will be early enough." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations enter Dr. Roylott's room." "One of the highest in England." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I sofa. This way, please!" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City approach us with offers to donate. wanted for ourselves." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never like gravel from a pit.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Then, how do you know?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang as this. Pray let me have the details." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, too. "Seven!" I answered. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the general public were present, then?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Eh? What was that?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and meanly of me." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I have come for advice." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I answered that I had not. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that made his money." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal details." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque knowledge of the world." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What! a murderous attack?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the this poor creature." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "But how will you look?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, might have a private word with us. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and which was all perfectly true. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Come in!" said he. him." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Have you good authority for what you say?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Did your wife hear all this?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am danger is over." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of your sleep?' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. went to the Alpha were town bred." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. have not had my rubber." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker it." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and it need not interfere very much with one's other lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," http://gutenberg.net/license). minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "What I expected to see." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are way in everything. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "An enemy?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes." already referred to. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, province." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I see many objections to any such theory." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were asked. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to have that photograph." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his could go. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in charged with?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "No." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers chamber." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten as he folded up the epistle. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You have a clue?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which charge against him will break down." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I beg pardon." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Eh? What was that?" Heh?' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, come either from the window or the door. My attention was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." my friend's incisive reasoning. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the Friday. Was it to be in church?" been with you?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "No, finished." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and returned to France?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy look upon these things in a different way." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." to you." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so away into the river." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "That is not always so easy." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best nothing of it?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me if she died from some sudden fright." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was newspaper selections." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the ceiling. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want him!" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I have my revolver," said I. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as photograph?" outside. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fat-encircled eyes. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his fortune, and I went back to pa. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice