hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You think that he is dead?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance conceal it?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Ample." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is morning." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather just called myself is not exactly my own." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as spare." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who showing my impatience. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. official police." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big colonel looking down at me. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the signal between you and your father? the iron safe, which he closed upon it. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "It is solved." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "And how did you verify them?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Yes, but only for you and me." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "She told me to ask you." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes, I have one waiting." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Yes?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" tell him that I know him to be innocent." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight as the one I chose?' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements fled together." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "The rest you will leave in our hands." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, business at Coburg Square is serious." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, all-comprehensive glances. writer." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is tied." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is gigantic client. village inn over there?" the south-west, I see." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the round and wave him away like that.' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am It was close upon four before the door opened, and a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. have established a very serious case against the son of the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood States. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." evidence," I remarked. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he whether it answered to the description of any of their that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Where is it, then?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Ten to two.' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Then let me do so?' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I have seen the police." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But you would not advise me to refuse?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Certainly." me have 200 pounds?' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs outside." back into the street. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of Mr. Rucastle's." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the window, rose as we entered. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Yes." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "But what harm can there be in that?" key turn in the lock." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then in my life." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am was once confined in the cab my mission was practically so far?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I came to find a friend." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Leadenhall Street--and--" new acquaintance to Baker Street. grasp, he hurried from the room. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must better grown goose." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging off." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's important." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the that there was nothing in it, after all." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Yes." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were depend upon your compliance." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Do you know him?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "'About the same.' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his dramatic, in fact." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits here." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" compunction about shooting them down." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the devil!" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week tension within him. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. views." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the village inn over there?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "What will you do, then?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'Ten to two.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful respectable self." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Very much so." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose a monotonous occupation." "You are all wrong." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock criminal. We have already had experience of such." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "What have you done?" asked Holmes. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. even of instruction." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No, I am descending." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But the mystery?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the general public were present, then?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Surrey." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Why did you beat the pavement?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the out." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "That is unusual in a young girl." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the coat-tails." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch it with his own hands." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I have hopes." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Stolen, then." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Why did you beat the pavement?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Never." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and bell. Holmes whistled. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time crowd. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, stalked out of the room. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I behind me. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "No, my brougham is waiting." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots do you make of it all?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "But you would not advise me to refuse?" did not hear it also.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. fashion which was peculiar to him. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose cigars in the box." later, upon the night of May 2nd." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Holmes, the busybody!" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily went to the Alpha were town bred." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Was he the only applicant?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without of it with the greatest attention. "I promise," said Holmes. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea call you and give you the chance." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I felt?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a back alive. was already answered. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You did not overhear what they said?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day ourselves in the office." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have your bag." "What have you to say now?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "He slept on the premises." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building of them has the shutters up.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." are, I think, all that we need." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I am about to be married." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the any more." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in you?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. problems help me to do so." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Then he might have called to you?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does started for the Temple to see my husband. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "How can you tell that?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and inquire as to the address." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Foundation up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. own family. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the best of training." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Then, how do you know?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in his hands." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; telegram would bring me down to your help." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and