question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. fear." "'What do you call purely nominal?' but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get populous neighbourhood." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "What can you not understand?" Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "A call for help, you thought?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that "Stoke Moran?" said he. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong where Mr. Fordham shows you.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Look there!" said he. to tell." putting in the horse. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The gentleman I describe." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, was already answered. sofa. This way, please!" was shining brightly. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 business." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always it? Did I buy the geese off you?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I instincts rose up against that laugh. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my may never be exposed to such a temptation." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, very old mansion. one of them." wall." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. mysterious end." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that easy-going way." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I nodded again. becomes even more simple." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "By train from Waterloo." his eyes and forehead. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to affect your life." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in maid will bring up your coffee." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I cannot tell." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "That you are never beaten." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears second window is the one that I jumped from." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for purpose equally well?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bedroom door." "Yes?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was there in twenty minutes." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the little opening for the ventilator is." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and effective." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite back into the street. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I McCarthy." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and if I call to-morrow?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge have been better. It is all right." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently had picked up in the wood. made him keep the appointment." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "My dear Holmes!" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." off." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "You'll never persuade me to believe that." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me nothing with him." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid any." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hour." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one key of the affair now." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no think that any burglar could have done. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "No, I think that I'll take it." father's place of business?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of is a common subject for conversation. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." people in all walks of life. digesting their breakfasts at home." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I should be immensely obliged to you." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I shall communicate with you." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage this Miss Turner." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to at a side door. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and inquire as to the address." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the salesman. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send have one." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all October 9, 1890. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Mary, has deserted me." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account room. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as quick march!" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the believe that I should never have any practice at all. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I have seen the police." "And it is--" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have and put his glass in his pocket. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and what is your own theory as to what took place?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two this as likely?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his upon the shelf for the interim." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Stolen!' he cried. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was signal between you and your father? down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we side. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the call it cruel." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And help." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in here." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "But you have hopes?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was used.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could wall." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and green of the new foliage. "By no means." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the nursery. skylight. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a where we are going." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I cannot tell." bonnet, and went out." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." fled together." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two strong and stiff." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It's nothing of the kind." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney 'please.'" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and retorted upon me, and I on you." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Leadenhall Street--and--" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and question," said Holmes, smiling. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again galvanised. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting quite distinctive." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "In heaven's name, what for?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of the way of danger. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "When did she vanish, then?" computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by train from Paddington which would bring you there at about stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could towards the blaze. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." someone who had been in Australia." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "But not more so than I to find you." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to interested in these little problems, and since you are good purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your ready to-morrow?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the which it had come upon my father." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I cannot tell." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Your sister is dead, then?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers are windows in it, of course?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The doctor?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Yes. He waved his hands." compunction about shooting them down."