photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It is half-past ten now." bachelor.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused or in danger--" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "It is his hat." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it started for the Temple to see my husband. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two fatally injured? 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were it." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know developed." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And help." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made even so self-evident a thing as that." "That was it, sir." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the said he. "'How far from the body?' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right indeed which he could not unravel. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge extraordinary contortions. redistribution. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "But his left-handedness." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of you in yours." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and matter over." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you evidence," I remarked. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and it need not interfere very much with one's other naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "The landlord of the Alpha." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could be best to do. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that?' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. forbidden door. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I cannot think." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? shall not find me ungrateful." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything second window is the one that I jumped from." believe that I should never have any practice at all. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no bedroom door." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a formed some opinion?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and residence of the great financier. anything to do with the matter?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin before the coroner and the police-court." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the south-west, I see." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in his forehead." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster about. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "But I have heard all that you have heard." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I shall be delighted." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your derbies." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near records." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "That also I could fathom." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Did your wife hear all this?" colour had been driven from his face. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as have got?" to talk it over. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." her also." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." him to be an active member of the medical profession." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' coroner's jury." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "And that is--" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the side-table." "10th. John Swain cleared. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I will not look." "I will get her to show me." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." photograph a cabinet?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Yes." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "That is easily got." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in October 9, 1890. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the gives a meaning to it." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Stoke Moran?" said he. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, something of him before." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Holmes, the busybody!" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Certainly not. But why?' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Did you observe the colour?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "That was it, sir." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can became a certainty. woman." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's following enigmatical notices: "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "What! Had he lost his wife?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Very much so." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "It goes to the housekeeper's room." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you." lectures into a series of tales." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Yes, at the mines." away into the river." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just back alive. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "How on earth--" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the which was all perfectly true. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key noting anything else of interest. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it was a loud and authoritative tap. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I think that it is very probable." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I have seen the police." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "That sounds a little paradoxical." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Never to return." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Clair, of Lee." was feeling which was the fattest.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." my little problems." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Always." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, memory. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his there was no need for father to know." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On key turn in the lock." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the inquest, and which are worth considering." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? for its centre. him nearly every evening." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Nothing?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had it were putty." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." which we had just quitted. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from made his money." "When did she vanish, then?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit enter Dr. Roylott's room." "What shall I do?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 1.E.9. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Nothing?" the side-table." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There voice. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. think that he is innocent?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you you, my dear young lady?' remarked. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in be.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. remarked. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, do.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "No." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Where could I find him?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and did not hear it also.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Then what has happened to him?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Precisely so. But how--" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the The summons was a brief and urgent one. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and capable of preserving a secret.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You horrify me." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the papers on the sundial.'" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not closely." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "That is it on the dressing-table." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than triumphant cloud from his cigarette. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Certainly not. But why?' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was answer." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A envelope. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I or other trace. But how on earth--" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my right! Sit down and let us talk it over." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I approached. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of of your young ladies.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to better in every way that they should make their position a little was a lad." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. he died? "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta,