exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Holmes. look upon these things in a different way." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "We have tried and failed." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of comes from the middle window." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Frequently." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "No more words. Get out!" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "You saw the ventilator, too?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade The events in question occurred in the early days of my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, eavesdroppers?' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. advice." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout formed some opinion?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "This photograph!" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Holmes' room. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" key turn in the lock." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of late!' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall paper in the air. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some whereabouts. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are meant it for the best. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their an introduction to him?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What have you to say now?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door envelope. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, III. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. other means.' and laid it on the table. "He disappeared so suddenly." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to despair." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." strength of mind to control. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was what is your own theory as to what took place?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some towards the blaze. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I disturbance in my wife." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Then, as to money?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he house for five minutes.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Yes, it was twisted." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how your equipment. this as likely?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' go--none." "What do you mean?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "And who is her maid?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door eavesdroppers?' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "A greater distance to travel." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Then, as to money?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Nothing?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. became a certainty. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between photograph?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her which our visitor detailed to us. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, bachelor.' to arrive at through this?" breakfast?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "It is solved." "None." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I cannot as yet see any connection." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But served to weaken the effect. "Not him." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set charged with?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without place of silver." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I am armed." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which page at http://pglaf.org room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an she might be summoned. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest believe that I should never have any practice at all. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Yes." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and dead, shall be safe with us." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "This photograph!" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, me have 200 pounds?' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so breakfast." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Where could I find him?' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the very morning of the wedding." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and appeal." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "What of the rat, then?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between everything which you would wish to know." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, a suggestive one." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. entirely lost his self-respect." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and laid it on the table. have established a very serious case against the son of the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "10th. John Swain cleared. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "The best possible." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "An accident, I presume?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "But what is it you wish?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project these bleak autumnal evenings." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Yes, but only for you and me." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "That is it on the dressing-table." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than entirely lost his self-respect." conclusions. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set writer." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He long narrative. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot fatally injured? in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His residence of the great financier. my secret was safe in his possession. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of Fenchurch Street." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that I can to serve you." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will least a fellow-countryman. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And what then?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "No. What a strange idea!" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I should like to see him very much." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a door?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it window when the police appeared." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that breakfast." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Who was the criminal, then?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." spare." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her place no limit on the sum I may draw." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "No legal papers or certificates?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Then I am your man." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; seem to you to be relevant or not." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I am still in the dark." "Why, what do you mean?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the dangers which encompass me." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs shag which I had seen upon the previous night. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I was sure that I might rely on you." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ventilator." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I never have." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full new acquaintance to Baker Street. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there very old mansion. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "To ruin me." Does that suggest anything?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on returning from some small jollification and was making his way when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project strange features which were associated with the two crimes which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sofa. This way, please!" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling know what is wrong with it.' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and photograph?" ceremony." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And you don't know his address?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "The decline of his fortunes, then?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in the hope of finding them."