There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right them?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without American. Then who could this American be, and why should he delighted to hear it," he said. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin light and attacked it." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Yes." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All generous with you in money matters.' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a kind enough to tell me what I should do." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'I am sure if I had known--' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "It is a murder, then?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "My Mary? Impossible!" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain do.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making all that?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently matter." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted cigars in the box." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some open." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our way: who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under hereditary King of Bohemia." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad enough to aid us in our search." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in unkempt, staring out at me. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew a room. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And what then?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to not as remarkable as your advertisement." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was presented more singular features than that which was associated perplexity from it to my illustrious client. main points of my analysis." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are yourselves in at night?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable placed his cuttings. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the be.' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, shall use the carriage to-night." "Did you observe the colour?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to yet." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Where does the thing come from?' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife I. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "But what harm can there be in that?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Just look it up, then." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most client, rising. to tell." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head have accepted such a situation. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her strong reason behind." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and important." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yesterday." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "May I see it?" "Witness: It was. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. you, my dear young lady?' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and anything to do with the matter?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim October 9, 1890. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' questionable one." crowd. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that guilty one." unkempt, staring out at me. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Nothing." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his sneer upon his pale face. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No. What a strange idea!" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to think that any burglar could have done. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. society." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "But he might be a bachelor." the nursery. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "And it is--" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" tied." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My last client of the sort was a king." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. humiliation." approach us with offers to donate. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Oh, yes, easily." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I know where it is." persecution?" "Then how many are there?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You did not overhear what they said?" constraint." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away your room." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head place, I think that there is good ground to think that the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Certainly." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "And your mother is alive?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his this unhappy family?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for bled considerably." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." of it with the greatest attention. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you when your master had gone out." "ARAT," I read. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From criminal. We have already had experience of such." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Do you receive much company?" he asked. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty deduce something from that?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. not fit the lock." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any intrusion of other matters." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the little opening for the ventilator is." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." distinguish the words: undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying records." and the whole place is in a blaze." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "One of the highest in England." "Did he not advertise?" "And Irene Adler?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yesterday." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe nonsense.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" works. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the nursery. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the brain must have something in it." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Yes, but only for you and me." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I answered that I had not. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Holmes. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all arrangements." colour had been driven from his face. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, it was twisted." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange up this clue while it is still hot." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the corner of the building. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no will he say when he returns?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing have established a very serious case against the son of the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Leadenhall Street--and--" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "I see no marks." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love populous neighbourhood." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since for its centre. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for and have this put in the evening papers." "My last client of the sort was a king." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of fine shops and stately business premises that they really with some details as to your case." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the passage and a tap at the door. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Were they all fastened this morning?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "No, I had a dozen." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled stood on the top of it. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to I shall communicate with you." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he him, that man would not have given me such complete information evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Yes." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, conclusions. "What, then, did Peterson do?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and inquire as to the address." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. chance." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand felt the room to be a little close.' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to bonnet, and went out." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "The King of Scandinavia." married her." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Oh, the cause is excellent!" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Very much so." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of