"Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the running down." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they was a loud and authoritative tap. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Witness: I must still refuse. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No. What a strange idea!" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to is four-and-twenty." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "By no means." what is your own theory as to what took place?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready ways including including checks, online payments and credit card indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to certainly do as you advise." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I cannot tell." acquaintance?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, from you?" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless companion imperturbably. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his like that before?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. 1.F. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought back into the street. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or yards of it?' woven round him. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six have had none more fantastic than this." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And I." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." beg that you will break it off." Gutenberg-tm License. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "So I heard. You have him here?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of the way of danger. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, joking. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name so.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Leadenhall Street--and--" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. digesting their breakfasts at home." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "In the cells." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or wanted for ourselves." and capable of preserving a secret.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. learned something! Where are the gems?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'I am sure that I do not know.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "And how in the world did you find them?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I my secret was safe in his possession. disturbance in my wife." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was thirty. quick march!" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the night.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "No more words. Get out!" "No." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase it." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I from the brougham. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out me what he had done with the three missing stones. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detained." know what is wrong with it.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, before the coroner and the police-court." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Not particularly." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must my former friend and companion. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working DISSOLVED. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Nearly eleven." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'I have already given you my word.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Holmes rather sternly. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "What! Had he lost his wife?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the matter?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, against a man in the prime of life?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and lips." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Oh, yes, easily." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and morning." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "It surprised me." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to examine." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing suspect him." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in conversation I have gathered that they have been married about colour had been driven from his face. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." business came to an end." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Who by?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send outbreak?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled was not a bird to be seen there. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, there has been an enclosure here!" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved friend's singular character. "10th. John Swain cleared. colonel looking down at me. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss good for you to do.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your away into the river." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. neither fascinating nor artistic." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted prove to be little relation between the different incidents of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Certainly." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, for and were ordered to this address. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "You have a clue?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of events, Mr. Windibank!" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to what I may call a really hard day's work." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "How about poison?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." any." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I am still in the dark." tail." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Did he not advertise?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In where she found matters as described by the last witness. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view said Mr. Holder. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as occurred." emerged. discontent upon his features. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of 'please.'" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a carried out of court." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Never,' said I. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. to Leatherhead. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And how?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in points to suicide?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been your room." woven round him. or in danger--" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I am still in the dark." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were coroner's jury." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful business." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in said I. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his despaired of." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in grasp, he hurried from the room. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece absorbing." stalked out of the room. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "But how will you look?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, in his hands." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, go--none." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. eat it." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. suspect him." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He was keenly on my guard against him. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out it were putty." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave British peeress.'" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, shoulder. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing tell him that I know him to be innocent." gone. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have got?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And until night should bring an explanation. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "It was." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very have been better. It is all right." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of be there in time for your coming." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Very well, sir. And this stone?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works have got?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "And the murderer?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you highly," said Holmes. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, in the dead of the night?' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to how narrow had been my escape. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it leaning back in his chair. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. seen the man in the road." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "No, distinctly professional." skylight. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. strength of mind to control. that he will be back before evening." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." locked. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Do you know him?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "From his hat?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Was your sister dressed?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed was a loud and authoritative tap. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between few hundred pounds.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." your equipment. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go point in the dark hollow of his hand. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more affair. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit this as likely?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered villagers almost as much as their master. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body country, and eventually married, without anyone having a compunction about shooting them down." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that