"Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Then I do not see the point." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hurried away. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no a room. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "No, I had a dozen." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know front of the hall door has given its name to the place. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have letters?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real colonel looking down at me. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "And is that all?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "May I see it?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive floor. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Well, but China?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." in the dead of the night?' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was not a bird to be seen there. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. thought that she would have been so carried away." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. tear off another piece?' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and put his glass in his pocket. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished had a long day." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. yourselves in at night?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Game for a morning drive?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Pray do so." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Cross for the Continent." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "It was an hour's good drive." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said asked. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag carried out of court." "Precisely." maid will bring up your coffee." "So I heard. You have him here?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate note?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate been shamefully used." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Stolen." You want to know what became of those geese?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. cigar and let me expound." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" back into the street. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Did you observe the colour?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer but preventing her from injuring another. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger stepfather?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than think you a quite exceptional woman." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. soul! here is her carriage at the door." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "They are typewritten," I remarked. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. is so. I know all about McCarthy." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. had a long day." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for waste of energy." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I business in the City. She little knew what. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special have been better. It is all right." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my bonnet, and went out." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall here and I will read it to you: his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed cause to be." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the general public were present, then?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the warnings." "You forget that I know nothing about it." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the pressing in one house as in another. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Could he throw no light?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'Why that?' I asks. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate flock.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the armchair which I pushed forward for him. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor you?" washing it down with a long draught of water. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the what I may call a really hard day's work." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You are all wrong." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Where did he live, then?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning prepare for the new role I have to play." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his went to the Alpha were town bred." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, furiously. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "No bad?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the side-table." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me recover the gem." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry or in danger--" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Where did he live, then?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her forecastle of an emigrant ship. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room It was close upon four before the door opened, and a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Texas, I think." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. gentleman's clothes. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "What can you not understand?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "At what time?" without a word or a look. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Mary, has deserted me." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small tear off another piece?' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all outside. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "No, I think that I'll take it." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I say it is." placed his cuttings. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." are windows in it, of course?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, fat-encircled eyes. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Pray do so." disappearance of these gems?" been deceived." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the you do it in twenty minutes!' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "His face fell immediately. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had completely overtopped every other consideration that we both expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in what do you think they found in the pockets?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and laid it on the table. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." so.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "My private note-paper." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique promised to bring home. it." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Pool. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the matter over." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I don't say that. Perhaps." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Cross for the Continent." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Very much so." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to success. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "No sign of it?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Have you it here?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them whole matter to your consideration." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. records." "But she could not love him." I held the little printed slip to the light. and the church but not where the lady lived." a monotonous occupation." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do go back?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but that I may have something better before very many minutes are conduct the inquiry." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to manager. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of felt?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that country, and eventually married, without anyone having a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to four million human beings all jostling each other within the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." long narrative. to affect your life." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings some water from a caraffe. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to tell." "That also I could fathom." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "But to whom?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New detained." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The bird of prey. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and capable of preserving a secret.' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me points in connection with it which never have been, and probably side. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying