"That is not always so easy." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing been." down. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon deduce something from that?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by she used." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I will not look." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as figure." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know go from here to the Strand." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Entirely." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Just look it up, then." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I have hopes." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, be best to do. room?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "When did she vanish, then?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of campaign. "I was afraid that you were engaged." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, my little problems." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these when your master had gone out." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." pierced for earrings?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all your only hope of safety." my little problems." reach." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "None." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "It is a murder, then?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter grasp, he hurried from the room. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Doctor, of the paper and the date." McCarthy's innocence. "But who is he?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the devil!" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the he died? willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they was the fact that his father should, according to his account, there." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Dr. Gregory B. Newby bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have established a very serious case against the son of the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Yes, all." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to have that photograph." light and attacked it." Eyford." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing open." "Indeed! Whose, then?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What I expected to see." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And help." seven miles from Eyford Station.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do conceal it?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Can I be of assistance?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Perhaps we may make them less so." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important back into the street. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side nonsense.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'You cannot say what it was?' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And when will you call?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "BALLARAT." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid weapon." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Just look it up, then." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, union?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter outside." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money again." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the were new raised from a basin. or other trace. But how on earth--" it right.' which it had come upon my father." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You have but to name it." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And I say east," said my patient. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out front of the hall door has given its name to the place. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sparkled upon his finger. and all of them with the keenest interest. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to his chemical studies. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord legal crime." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is events than those which have happened in my own family." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I think it very unlikely." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds felt the room to be a little close.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very hereditary King of Bohemia." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "But it has twice been burgled." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried call you and give you the chance." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "What then?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "You heard nothing yourself last night?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came tapping his fingers upon the table. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a locked." as he remarks, very much against the son." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as question you as to those details which seem to me to be most death." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Why that?' I asks. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with my former friend and companion. "And how did you find out?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I should like to see him very much." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. pierced for earrings?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it speckled band?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried strode off upon his way. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "And did you observe any change in her then?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been married her." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to you." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Holmes, the busybody!" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the as yours." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Certainly not.' "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "And that is--" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face might help us?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his knees, staring into the fire. "At half-wages, in fact." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding prison!" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from skylight. "No, distinctly professional." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just prisoner's face. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "My dear Holmes!" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I answered that I had not. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other License. You must require such a user to return or change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been my special province." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Here?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It was a confession," I ejaculated. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "How did you trace it, then?" "It's nothing of the kind." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "How are you getting on?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, six. Come in!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure question," said Holmes, smiling. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I was afraid that you were engaged." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only begin with, and I had not got mine yet." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds 1.F. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and it with his own hands." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door will he say when he returns?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Watson," he said cordially. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I have come for advice." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'Yes, sir.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden yourselves in at night?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining over part of the map. "What do you read?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how him nearly every evening." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Have you it here?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with you, my dear young lady?' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing