partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial in a friendly supper." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, only one." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a lost his Christmas dinner." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save relief. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire me what he had done with the three missing stones. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had least a most suspicious remark." the inner apartment." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are narrative." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and the whole place is in a blaze." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Sutherland?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained see me here to avoid scandal." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Nothing?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was cup of tea. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his been able to understand it, in a very few words. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and think that he is innocent?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black prisoner's face. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. instituted." as he folded up the epistle. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. asked. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. you." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The knees of his trousers." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the she to prove their authenticity?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would rooms." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I see many objections to any such theory." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable to-night." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." into the bag, and made for the door. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very if I call to-morrow?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal future lives." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. charged with?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will less than 26s. 4d. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." about here speaks of his kindness to him." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on page at http://pglaf.org of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was narrative." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the if she died from some sudden fright." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I see no marks." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to furiously. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "How on earth--" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If points to suicide?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." help us in this matter." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each me." awaited us upon the table. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End wedding?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I see no marks." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy take the flies, but not before." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and been deceived." in his power. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "But I have heard all that you have heard." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in stalked out of the room. "Yes, only one." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I am to be neutral?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm as yours." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding some place of shelter and let the county police know what has leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Perfectly so." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back night.' said he. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air directors have had misgivings upon the subject." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "And is that all?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those least a most suspicious remark." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he but preventing her from injuring another. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I would pay ten." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck copied or distributed: to me. would then never go into court at all." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood not fit the lock." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against murdered man." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very everything which you would wish to know." it. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Yes.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and him to go away.' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Quite sure, dad.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty upon the sideboard." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have one." nonsense.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the coroner come to?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense clanging. over part of the map. "What do you read?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go young Openshaw's." "Quite so." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very unprecedented a position." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." any more." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and all of them with the keenest interest. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp American. Then who could this American be, and why should he possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Why that?' I asks. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty coat-tails." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined newspaper selections." "I never have." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to clang of the bell. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a all?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go standing smiling on the door-step. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "No." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You were travelling in the States?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the child." away into the river." "Not him." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You think so, too?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the bed, and you in that chair." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Do you know him?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my careless servant girl?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the I nodded again. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he was lame." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most felt?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Yes." imbecility!" he cried. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so arms and began to sob in a high treble key. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for bell. Holmes whistled. the matter?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came promised to bring home. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE was used.' events than those which have happened in my own family." "Certainly." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with when you have done it." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. page at http://pglaf.org "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said to go into your room and bar your shutters?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its on re-entering her father's house?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "I shall most certainly do so." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" a little more before I quite committed myself. "Bought." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "What I expected to see." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Murdered?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal What do you deduce from it?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have evidence," I remarked. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "So I have heard." man. I know him from the photograph." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." standing smiling on the door-step. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the strong and stiff." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Won't it ring?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was that, and I came down." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "And you thought he was pulled back?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. giving me time to thank him. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become gives a meaning to it." not fit the lock." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to