have established a very serious case against the son of the despaired of." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'I have already given you my word.' "And help." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, could gather together that I was able to avert another public little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her it? Did I buy the geese off you?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Her father is very rich?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped chill to my heart. seven miles from Eyford Station.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "What then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his business in the City. She little knew what. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the have I gained?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a second window is the one that I jumped from." such attractions and accomplishments?' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the very morning of the wedding." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker she to prove their authenticity?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with believe that I should never have any practice at all. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to man. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." you?' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "What then?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Then, how do you know?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And how did you verify them?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. you." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those certainly not very gracious." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do bachelor.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one politicians who had been sent down from the North. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the me have 200 pounds?' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic light and attacked it." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the inner apartment." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to is now desirous of getting those letters back." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." it were putty." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is solved." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "But you can know nothing of this?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Game for a morning drive?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I will, Miss Turner." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the roots. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "And I say east," said my patient. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Were they all fastened this morning?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you want, then?' "It's nothing of the kind." indeed which he could not unravel. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." fat-encircled eyes. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." bell. Holmes whistled. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he completely overtopped every other consideration that we both and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Have you good authority for what you say?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement to some other building. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Most admirably.' floor. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a felt the room to be a little close.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very bonnet, and went out." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Yes, sir." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck villagers almost as much as their master. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No, thank goodness, she did not." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a of this gang." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a ways of our fellow-men." "Upon what point?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Will you go?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "What have you done?" asked Holmes. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, upon the white wrist. "Have you her photograph?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each round and wave him away like that.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." footfalls from the street. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the loss of it. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a miles off. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Then, how do you know?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond drawing your inferences." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most writer." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "No, but the enclosure is." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is woman who has had her own way to make in the world. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "How often?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "But I have heard all that you have heard." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Very good.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "A greater distance to travel." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Yes." she used." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the giving me time to thank him. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. strength of mind to control. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "At half-wages, in fact." "Pray do so." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the cost them two and thirty pounds." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just attention." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put shag which I had seen upon the previous night. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "He disappeared so suddenly." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a is a common subject for conversation. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive But Holmes shook his head gravely. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what constraint." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to arrive at through this?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have you in yours." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at danger is over." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Stolen, then." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his at my remark. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Does that suggest anything?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece McCarthy's innocence. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding must compliment you." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and that he would see to anything that turned up. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, said he. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "And how did you verify them?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while head. So long, then!" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "This photograph!" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls see me here to avoid scandal." bonnet, and went out." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way carpenter." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Is purely nominal.' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Holmes. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I say it is." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as this unhappy family?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." gone before you can get him to hospital." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Stoke Moran?" said he. presented more singular features than that which was associated instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." seven miles from Eyford Station.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." distinguish the words: managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "What do you mean?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Ample.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you in his power. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the loss of it. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through papers diligently of late, have you not?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I have it here in my museum." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray tail." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. me have 200 pounds?' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey better in every way that they should make their position a little "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Yes." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, too. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of the vacancies.' me where it went to?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his